Japanese wine — not French — is latest fashion for Japan vintners

Food & Beverage

Suntory and Kirin aim for higher sales of varieties made from domestic grapes

Japanese wines made with domestically grown grapes are gaining international recognition. (Photo by Yurika Yoneda)

YURIKA YONEDA

October 17, 2025 19:06 JST

KOFU, Japan — A new brewery facility that began operating in a Suntory winery in Kofu, west of Tokyo, last month marks the latest example of Japanese vintners focusing on wine made with domestic grapes.