Chateraise Belle Foret Winery Katsunuma
シャトレーゼベルフォーレワイナリー勝沼ワイナリー
Confectionery maker Chateraise's boutique Katsunuma winery
Founded in 2000 as the winemaking division of the Japanese confectionery maker Chateraise, this boutique winery is based at 2830-3 Katsunuma, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu City, Yamanashi — the historic heart of Japan's premier grape-growing district. Guided by the philosophy that 'ingredients are the origin of deliciousness,' the winery tends roughly 3 hectares of its own vineyards spread across nine plots in Katsunuma, including the Toriihira and Hishiyama districts known for small-berried Koshu grapes with a fine balance of sugar and acidity. Producing around 30,000 bottles a year, it focuses on Koshu alongside international varieties such as Chardonnay and Merlot, aiming for wines that complement an entire meal rather than just dessert. Its 'Katsunuma Koshu 2023' won a Gold Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 — one of only four Yamanashi wines to do so that year — and the winery has also earned honors at the Japan Wine Competition and Japan Wine Challenge.
www.belle-foret.co.jp/katsunuma/ ↗Cuvées
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Who Is This For?
For those who want meticulously made, food-friendly Japanese wine from a small-production winery backed by a confectionery maker's obsession with quality ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this winery related to the confectionery brand Chateraise?
- Yes. It is the winemaking division of Chateraise, founded in 2000, and shares the parent company's focus on carefully selected raw ingredients.
- Where are the winery's grapes grown?
- Mainly from about 3 hectares of the winery's own vineyards spread across nine plots within Katsunuma, Koshu City, Yamanashi, including the Toriihira and Hishiyama districts.
- What is the winery known for?
- Its 'Katsunuma Koshu 2023' won a Gold Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025, one of only a handful of Yamanashi wines honored that year, alongside further awards at the Japan Wine Competition and Japan Wine Challenge.
- How large is the winery's production?
- It is a small boutique winery producing roughly 30,000 bottles per year, focused on Koshu along with international varieties such as Chardonnay and Merlot.