What kind of winery is Arc-en-Vigne?

Founded in 2014 in Tomi City, Nagano, as a sister project to Villa d'Est, Arc-en-Vigne is both a working winery and an educational hub that supports local grape growers and trains new winemakers for the Chikuma River Wine Valley.

Can visitors tour the winery or taste the wines?

Yes, Arc-en-Vigne has an on-site shop offering tastings (from ¥500) and facility tours, though hours and closing days vary seasonally (typically closed Thursdays).

What is the Chikumagawa Wine Academy?

Launched in 2015, it is Japan's first private wine academy, teaching viticulture, winemaking, and winery management; it has produced over 390 graduates, many of whom have gone on to found their own wineries across Japan.

Does Arc-en-Vigne only produce its own brand of wine?

No — it also purchases grapes from and provides contract winemaking services to local farmers and new entrants who lack their own winery license, helping incubate the region's wine industry.

Has Arc-en-Vigne won any awards?

Its Merlot Village 2019 won a bronze medal at the Japan Wine Competition 2022, and the winery received a Function Award at the 19th Glass Bottle Award 2023 for its packaging.

ProducerTomi

Arc-en-Vigne

アルカンヴィーニュ

The nursery winery raising Nagano's next generation of winemakers.

About Arc-en-Vigne

Founded: 2015; 11 years ago
Location: 東御市; 長野県
Wines listed: 18; Sparkling 8, White 4, Rosé 1, Red 5
Main grapes: Apple, Chardonnay, Merlot

Arc-en-Vigne is a winery and wine-education hub in Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture, founded in 2014 by essayist and painter Toyoo Tamamura as a sister project to his own Villa d'Est Garden Farm and Winery. Its name blends the French "arc-en-ciel" (rainbow) with "vigne" (vine), expressing a wish to build an arch connecting wine lovers and winemakers. Rather than focusing solely on its own label, Arc-en-Vigne acts as a cradle for the Chikuma River Wine Valley: it buys grapes from and provides contract winemaking for local growers and new entrants who have not yet obtained their own winery license, helping the region's small-scale wine industry take root. It also runs the Chikumagawa Wine Academy, Japan's first private school for viticulture, winemaking, and winery management, launched in 2015 and credited with training hundreds of independent winemakers across Japan. Its own wines, made from Koshu-area varieties such as Chardonnay, Merlot and Black Queen alongside cider, are known for approachable quality, and its Merlot Village 2019 won bronze at the Japan Wine Competition 2022.

Official website: jw-arc.co.jp ↗

Who Is This For?

For those drawn to the story behind Japanese wine — community-driven winemaking, education, and the growth of a whole wine region rather than a single label.

Wines of Arc-en-Vigne

Sparkling8

White4

Rosé1

Arc-en-Vigne Kyoho RoséKyoho

Red5

Location & Nearby

Address: 長野県東御市和6667View map ↗
Founded: 2015

Source: jw-arc.co.jp (checked Sep 2026)

The pin with the gold outline marks Arc-en-Vigne.

Nearby wineries

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of winery is Arc-en-Vigne?: Founded in 2014 in Tomi City, Nagano, as a sister project to Villa d'Est, Arc-en-Vigne is both a working winery and an educational hub that supports local grape growers and trains new winemakers for the Chikuma River Wine Valley.
Can visitors tour the winery or taste the wines?: Yes, Arc-en-Vigne has an on-site shop offering tastings (from ¥500) and facility tours, though hours and closing days vary seasonally (typically closed Thursdays).
What is the Chikumagawa Wine Academy?: Launched in 2015, it is Japan's first private wine academy, teaching viticulture, winemaking, and winery management; it has produced over 390 graduates, many of whom have gone on to found their own wineries across Japan.
Does Arc-en-Vigne only produce its own brand of wine?: No — it also purchases grapes from and provides contract winemaking services to local farmers and new entrants who lack their own winery license, helping incubate the region's wine industry.
Has Arc-en-Vigne won any awards?: Its Merlot Village 2019 won a bronze medal at the Japan Wine Competition 2022, and the winery received a Function Award at the 19th Glass Bottle Award 2023 for its packaging.