Grace Koshu Cuvée Misawa Akeno Vineyard 2019

Grace Winery (Chuo Budoshu) was founded in 1923 by Chotaro Misawa in Katsunuma, Yamanashi Prefecture — the birthplace of Japan's wine industry. The winery has a strong history of innovation, becoming one of the first in the country to introduce Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) in 1990 to improve grape quality. It remains family-run today, led by winemaker Ayana Misawa, Chotaro's great-great-granddaughter, and is considered a benchmark for quality in Japanese winemaking — balancing traditional craftsmanship with progressive technique to express the unique terroir of the region.

Cuvée Misawa Akeno Vineyard Koshu comes from the Misawa Vineyard in Akeno, Yamanashi — the same single site behind Grace's flagship Chardonnay and Rouge cuvées. Unlike those barrel-aged wines, this Koshu is fermented and matured entirely in stainless steel, keeping the focus on the variety's natural delicacy and site character rather than oak influence.

The Wine Front — 95 points (29 April 2021)
"Nutty, polished rice, ripe lemon, very fine, but fills the mouth with gossamer glide, stony feel, not a lot of flavour in a way, but so interesting and engaging, subtle citrus characters, long and cool to close. Would be great with age. Feels a bit special."
Read the full review at The Wine Front