98WINEs
キュウハチワインズ
Founded by Château Mercian's former chief winemaker; produces exclusively Koshu and Muscat Bailey A at 650m elevation with pure gravity-fed, no-filtration, no-pesticide winemaking.
98WINEs is a winery founded in 2018 by Shigeyuki Hirayama, former chief winemaker at Mercian (Château Mercian), located in Fukuori, Shiojawa, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, at an elevation of 650 meters. Using only Koshu and Muscat Bailey A grapes suited to this terroir, the winery practices low-intervention winemaking with gravity-fed fermentation, no filtration, and minimal use of additives. The name '98' embodies the philosophy that the imperfect 98 can become 100 or even 200 through connection with people — leaving room for the drinker to complete the experience. The winery comprises three buildings: an iron building for gravity fermentation, a stone building for aging (reusing local stone walls), and a wooden building for tastings, sales, and social interaction.
98wines.jp/ ↗Cuvées
霜（SOU）白
霜 SOU White
WhiteKoshu · 甲州
SOU White is the entry-level Koshu wine from 98WINEs, crafted specifically for daily dining. Made from Koshu grapes grown at 650m elevation in Fukusato, Shiojawa, Yamanashi, it undergoes whole-bunch pressing followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks without added sulfites, enzymes, or fining agents. After three weeks of fermentation, the wine rests on its lees for five months (sur lie), developing a rounded texture while preserving the Koshu grape's hallmark fresh acidity and delicate bitterness. Aromas of quince, honey, white grapefruit peel, chamomile, fresh mint, and a hint of clove intertwine in a clean, unfiltered expression that invites pouring every evening.
芒（NOGI）白
芒 NOGI White
WhiteKoshu · 甲州
NOGI White is 98WINEs' mid-tier Koshu wine, designed to reveal the full depth of the Koshu variety through an exceptional skin-contact technique. Mid-October harvested grapes undergo whole-bunch pressing without débourbage; during mid-fermentation, 20% of destemmed whole Koshu grapes are folded in and left in contact with the skins for seven months. This extended maceration builds rare body and structure in a grape often considered delicate, yielding juicy, mellow richness layered with honey, lychee, and yogurt-like creaminess, underscored by a taut, precise acidity and Koshu's unmistakable gentle bitterness. No oak is used; fermentation and ageing take place in stainless steel. The result is an amber-tinted orange-style wine that marks a clear step up in complexity from the entry-tier SOU.
穀（KOKU）白
穀 KOKU White
WhiteKoshu · 甲州
The top-tier white from 98WINEs, pursuing the highest level of elegance and complexity from Koshu. Only the finest quality clusters are selected. 85% fermented in stainless steel, 15% in new 225-liter barrels for 3 weeks; then 5 months of low-temperature lees contact. Aromas of yuzu, sudachi, Japanese citrus, and mineral notes with oak nuances adding complexity. A long finish with rich acidity. Designed to be enjoyed 1–5 years after release.
Who Is This For?
Wine lovers who seek authentic Japanese terroir expression through indigenous varieties, and those who enjoy low-intervention, natural-leaning wines with a strong sense of place.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What grapes does 98WINEs use?
- Only two varieties: Koshu (for whites and rosés) and Muscat Bailey A (for reds and rosés). Both are indigenous to Japan and well-suited to the 650m elevation terroir of Shiojawa, Yamanashi.
- What does '98' mean in the name?
- The number 98 represents intentional imperfection — the belief that an imperfect 98 can become 100 or even 200 through human connection and collaboration. It is a philosophy of openness and co-creation.
- How are the wines made?
- All wines are made with gravity-fed (no pump) fermentation, no filtration, minimal additives (no sulfites in some cuvées), and no pesticides in the vineyard. Winemaking is as hands-off as possible to let the fruit speak.
- What are the three wine tiers?
- 霜（SOU）is the entry-level everyday drinking range; 芒（NOGI）is the mid-tier exploring interesting possibilities of the varieties; 穀（KOKU）is the top tier aged for elegance and complexity, suitable for cellaring.
- Where is the winery located?
- In Fukuori, Shiojawa, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture — a south-facing slope at 650m elevation in the valley leading to Mt. Daibosatsu. The winery is open on weekends and public holidays.