Many of the wineries in the Koshu Valley are run by farmers for farmers and this is perhaps the best example. They won’t be winning prizes at international competitions but you get a taste for what the locals enjoy. Here, a ramshackle warehouse opens out onto the street in the middle of the valley, allowing farmers to back their keitora (the mini white open-bed trucks used by grape farmers) right up to entrance. As you taste the thoroughly drinkable but rough-and-ready wines, glancing across to the dilapidated grape-sorting station and gazing into the inky darkness of the wine-making shed, you feel like you are looking back in time.

Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:00 Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 12:00 Saturdays (Closed Sundays and National Holidays, as well as year-end/New Year)

Tastings: Yes (some charged)

Website: kinjyo-wine.com (Japanese only)

Tel: +81 (0)553 44 1567