Discover Kikkoman #2 MANNS WINE Katsunuma Winery

“Discover Kikkoman” with Kikona, Kikkoman’s official brand mascot, on a visit to Manns Wine Katsunuma Winery in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Kikkoman Group’s Manns Wines has been recognized in international competitions since being founded in 1962. Its Katsunuma Winery is the pioneering winery in Yamanashi Prefecture, a region that boasts the largest grape production and number of wineries in Japan. The winery makes wines primarily from Japanese grape varieties: the Koshu and Muscat Bailey A, both registered with the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (O.I.V.).

In 2020, Katsunuma Winery opened a new facility comprising wine cellars, exhibition space and tasting rooms. Here, visitors from around the world are invited to learn about its wines through guided tours including English-subtitled videos about the cellars and winemaking.

Near rows of wood barrels in the cellar is an exhibition space with vibrant wall imagery that looks like large paintings, each with a corresponding wine bottle next to it ... but look again! These are not paintings, they are macro photographs of crystals found in those wine bottles, taken through an electron microscope. Discover the mysterious world of wine in this eye-opening gallery.

The tour includes tastings of different Manns Wines, including our highly rated premium Solaris wine. First we sampled the Solaris Chikuma River Shinano Riesling 2024, made with the Shinano Riesling grape variety uniquely bred by Manns Wine. Its elegant aroma and slightly dry palate are perfect for novice wine lovers. Next, a taste of the Solaris Yamanashi Muscat Bailey A 2023, made from Muscat Bailey A grapes grown in Manns Wine vineyards. Grapes are hand-picked, selected and cooled, then fermented before aging in barrels for twelve months. This wine has a rich berry aroma and complex, concentrated flavor.

Winery visitors can not only purchase their favorite wines, they also have exclusive access to rare back-vintage Solaris wines.

Winery visitors can not only purchase their favorite wines, they also have exclusive access to rare back-vintage Solaris wines.

Katsunuma Winery offers a unique opportunity to experience and taste wines that are unavailable anywhere else. When in Japan, consider spending time here to immerse yourself in the world of Manns Wine.

Katsunuma Winery offers a unique opportunity to experience and taste wines that are unavailable anywhere else. When in Japan, consider spending time here to immerse yourself in the world of Manns Wine.