The Jyonohira vineyard in Katsunuma is owned and operated by Château Mercian. The vineyard was the first to adopt guyot cultivation, in 1984, to produce Japan's finest Cabernet Sauvignon.
There is a large temperature difference between day and night, and the area has the perfect climate conditions for ripening grapes. Located at 550-600m above sea level with clay soil, the Jyonohira vineyard is on a gentle slope that receives plenty of sunlight and wind.
Ortus is a Latin term meaning "origin", chosen to represent the Jyonohira vineyard as the first place Mercian tried the guyot training system for cultivation in Japan. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot harvested are blended to draw out the maximum potential of the Jyonohira vineyard and achieve a perfect balance for its iconic wine.
Our Wines
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Ortus"Origin", Jyonohira Vineyard
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Signature
"Worthy of the Winemaker's Name", Kikyogahara VineyardChâteau Mercian took on the challenge of growing Merlot at Kikyogahara from 1976. The Château Mercian Shinshu Kikyogahara Merlot 1985 was finally released in 1989, and won the Grand Gold Medal at the International Competition of Wine in Ljubljana. The vineyard continued to win medals and earned worldwide recognition as a region producing superb Merlot.
Kikyogahara is located at an altitude of around 730m and has volcanic ash soil. The Kikyogahara Merlot used for Signature wine is grown in a specially designated region and undergoes rigorous barrel selection. Every drop of this iconic wine is worthy of the maker's pride, confidence and signature.
The Kikyogahara winery opens in autumn 2018, marking a new challenge for the area. -
Omnis
"Everything" Combined in One Wine, Mariko VineyardThe Mariko vineyard was created in 2003 as a vineyard under our own management. The name "Mariko" comes from the historical figure Maroko no Miko, son of Emperor Kinmei, who ruled this area in the late 6th century. The Mariko vineyard is located at an altitude of 650m on hilly land with extremely clayey soil. We are challenging ourselves anew to produce the very finest quality from this wide open space blessed with nature.
The Mariko winery, built with a view over 20hectares of superb vineyard, is due for completion in 2019. We aim to produce even finer quality by overseeing the entire process from vineyard to wine making.
"Omnis" is a Latin word meaning "all", representing the coming together of Bordeaux-style red varieties from the Mariko vineyard and the full expression of "terroir"of this vineyard. -
Rivalis
On Both Banks of the "River", Hokushin Left and Right BankIn the north of Nagano Prefecture, the left bank of the Chikuma river contains plenty of clay soil which produces wine with a balance of rich aroma and gentle acidity.
"Rivalis" is the Latin word for "river", signifying the high quality of the wine that comes from both the left and right banks. -
Left bank
In the Hokushin region of Nagano Prefecture, the left bank of the Chikuma river near Nagano city forms a unique geographical feature as it runs along the geological fault line at the northern edge of the Zenkoji plain.
The vineyard is situated around 350m high and has clay soil, producing grapes with an overall mellow and rich flavour.
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Right bank
The right bank of the Chikuma river, also in the Hokushin region of Nagano Prefecture but closer to the cities of Takayama and Suzaka, is made up of sloping ground between 400 and 600m above sea level. The soil has sand and gravel with lots of iron, deposited in the alluvial fan of the Matsu river, a tributary of the Chikuma river. The topsoil is barely 20cm deep, with sand and gravel below, giving the area exceptionally good drainage.
TerroirThe Spirit of Difference Produced by Each Vineyard
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Terroir
Our terroir series is based on the concept of "the right variety in the right place".
We draw out the characteristics of each grape variety by selecting a growing area and specific location from the four prefectures of Yamanashi, Nagano, Akita and Fukushima.
We will continue our pursuit of the potential of Japanese terroir. -
Château Mercian
JyonohiraCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
VineyardThis wine has a supple acidity accompanied by black currant and raspberry flavors with long aftertaste and smooth tannins. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, all grown in the Jyonohira Vineyard located in the Katsunuma District of Koshu City in Yamanashi Prefecture.
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Château Mercian
Hosaka Muscat Bailey AMuscat Bailey A
VineyardA red wine having rich aromas of red fruit and complexity with pleasant acidity. The Hosaka District is located on the hill side of Nirasaki City in Yamanashi Prefecture. Muscat Bailey A matures well with balanced acidity due to good exposure and a large temperature difference between day and night. It goes through the extended aging in oak barrels.
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Château Mercian
Yamanashi Muscat Bailey AMuscat Bailey A
VineyardThis wine strikes an excellent balance between the aromas of red fruits like strawberry and the flavors produced by the barrel aging. Muscat Bailey A is the Japanese original variety, born by cross-breeding in 1927.
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Château Mercian
Iwade Koshu Kiiroka Cuvée UenoKoshu
VineyardAromas include grapefruit and Japanese citrus such as kabosu and sudachi. A single vineyard wine from Mr. Ueno's vineyard in the Iwade District of Yamanashi City. This is where Kiiroka, the distinctive citrus aroma in Koshu wine, was discovered.
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Château Mercian
Tamamoro Koshu KiirokaKoshu
VineyardThis wine allows you to enjoy the harmony between aromas reminiscent of Japanese citrus fruit, such as yuzu and kabosu, and fresh acidity. A highly aromatic wine produced from Koshu grapes harvested in the Tamamoro District of Kofu City, located in the center of the Kofu Basin.
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Château Mercian
Fuefuki Koshu Gris de GrisKoshu
VineyardThis wine has a sweet aroma like apple compote and lots of volume on the palate. Its flavour expresses the essence of the skins of the Japanese indigenous grape variety Koshu. Koshu comes from the Fuefuki District in Yamanashi Prefecture.
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Château Mercian
Iwasaki KoshuKoshu
VineyardThis wine expresses a refreshing aroma with gentle and fruity depth. This Koshu is from Iwasaki District in Koshu city in Yamanashi Prefecture. These vineyards are owned by two growers of the great, great grandsons of who went to France in 1877 to study grape cultivation and winemaking, becoming one of the pioneers of Japanese wine.
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Château Mercian
Yamanashi KoshuKoshu
VineyardThis dry white wine offers a rich mid-palate texture with umami. Koshu, a native Japanese grape variety that has been growing for centuries, is fermented and aged on the lees (sur lie) till the bottling.
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Château Mercian
Kikyogahara MerlotMerlot
VineyardThis Merlot is elegant and supple with black fruits such as blueberry flavors on entry, hints of earthy note and cloves with a touch of well integrated wood, having a long lingering finish. Merlot has been cultivated in the Kikyogahara District of Shiojiri since 1976. We have been making Kikyogahara Merlot since 1985, a label which continue to be recognised as one of Japan's best red wines.
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Château Mercian
Mariko MerlotMerlot
VineyardThis wine has an aroma reminiscent of dried fruit with concentrated fruitiness, accompanied by both robust tannins and a balanced body. Merlot comes from the Mariko Vineyard in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture.
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Château Mercian
Mariko SyrahSyrah
VineyardThis wine has an aromas of white pepper and black fruits with a perfect balance of pleasant acidity and fruitiness. This Syrah comes from the Mariko Vineyard in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture.
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Château Mercian
Mariko ChardonnayChardonnay
VineyardThis wine harmoniously combines aromas of vanilla and coffee, and fruity flavor notes of pineapple and lemon with minerality. The Chardonnay comes from "Mariko Vineyard" in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture.
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Château Mercian
Mariko Sauvignon BlancSauvignon Blanc
VineyardThis wine delivers the aromas of citrus and passion fruit, with herbal nuances and a mouthwatering acidity. Sauvignon Blanc comes from "Mariko Vineyard", Mercian's managed vineyard in Ueda city, Nagano Prefecture.
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Château Mercian
Hokushin ChardonnayChardonnay
VineyardThis wine has well-balanced complexity, with a minerality on the palate complemented by a burst of tropical flavor. We carefully blended the wines from both left and right bank of Chikuma River in the Hokushin District of Nagano Prefecture. The clay soil of the left bank contributes tropical flavor, while the sandy right bank brings fresh acidity and power.
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Château Mercian
Hokushin Chardonnay UnwoodedChardonnay
VineyardThis wine strikes an excellent balance between the abundant fruit flavors and the soft acidity with an elegant floral aroma. Chardonnay from Hokushin District of Nagano Prefecture is fermented and aged in stainless steel.
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Château Mercian
Nagano MerlotMerlot
VineyardThis wine displays an exquisite balance between ripe fruit and elegant flavor. A blend of grapes from Nagano Prefecture; the leading Merlot-producing region of Japan. Château Mercian started cultivation of Merlot here in 1976.
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Château Mercian
Omori RieslingRiesling
VineyardThis wine is perfectly balanced between fruity flavors and refreshing acidity with a crispy finish. Riesling with plenty of acidity is harvested from vineyards on the hillside of Omori in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture. Riesling has been cultivated in Omori District since 1982.
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Château Mercian
Niitsuru ChardonnayChardonnay
VineyardThis wine has beautifully balanced acidity and flavors of tropical fruit. The Niitsuru District is located on the western side of Fukushima Prefecture, far from the sea. Chardonnay matures well in this continental climate where exists the large temperature difference between night and day.
QualityTowards a New Japanese Standard
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Quality
We want the f lavour of Japanese wine to be acknowledged at everyday dining tables. To make this wish a reality, our wine makers have honed their sensibilities to create wines that set a new standard for Japan.
Inspired by traditional Japanese colours such as Aiakane (indigo madder), Moegi (yellow-green) and Momoiro (peach), we have created approachable, easy-to-drink Japanese wines that bring pleasure to everyday life. -
Château Mercian
AiakaneThis red wine strikes a good balance between a pleasant acidity and gentle tannins with the aromas of red fruits. The name was given in relation with traditional Japanese colors "Ai" and "Akane"; represent respectively the characteristics of Merlot and the Japanese original variety Muscat Bailey A, born by cross-breeding in 1927. A benchmark in Japanese wine, crafted to accompany everyday Japanese dishes.
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Château Mercian
MomoiroDry rosé with rich fruity aroma and good structure. Château Mercian Momoiro is a blend of Muscat Bailey A and Merlot, creating to pair with everyday dishes. The name was given in relation with traditional Japanese color “Momoiro” represent the color of rosé. A benchmark in Japanese wine, crafted to accompany everyday Japanese cuisine. Muscat Bailey A was born by cross-breeding in 1927.
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Château Mercian
MoegiThe wine is finely balanced on the palate characterized by lively acidity and a sensation of minerality, as well as rich fruitiness. Château Mercian Moegi is a blend of Chardonnay and Koshu, created to pair with Japanese dishes. The name was given in relation with traditional Japanese colors "Moe" and "ki(gi)", represent respectively the characteristic of Chardonnay, as "ki(gi)", and Koshu, as "Moe", the Japanese indigenous variety . A benchmark in Japanese wine, crafted to accompany everyday Japanese cuisine.