Influential winery with a stylish tasting room where you can try wines from vineyards throughout Japan.

Chateau Mercian, part of the Kirin drinks group, has been instrumental in the development of the Japanese wine industry. Indeed, one could say that the turning point for Koshu came in 1983 when Mercian’s legendary winemaker Usuke Asai introduced the sur lie method to Japan, helping define Koshu as the delicate, dry white wine that we know today. Winemaking is now led by chief winemaker Mitsuhiro Anzo and the winery is known as much for wines from international grape varieties as for those from Japanese grapes, garnering high praise for their Chardonnay and Merlot in particular. This is also one of the few wineries in the valley where you can taste Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling alongside Koshu, for example. With a spacious lawn, lunch menu, and a wine museum they inherited from the first Japanese winery of 1877, this is a good destination for the whole family.

Opening hours: 9:30 - 16:30 (Closed Tuesdays as well as year-end/New Year)

Tastings: Yes (charged)

Website: www.chateaumercian.com/en

Tel: +81 (0)553 44 1011