Grace Wine
中央葡萄酒
Japan's most internationally decorated winery: first Japanese Gold Medal and Regional Trophy at Decanter World Wine Awards (Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu 2013); Asia's first sparkling Platinum (Grace Extra Brut 2011); Cuvée Misawa Akeno 2016 scored 98 points at DWWA; selected as World Top 10 Wine by Bloomberg; JWA 2025 five-star winner. Misawa Vineyard at 700m elevation, Japan's longest sunshine region.
Founded in 1923 by Chotaro Misawa in Katsunuma, Yamanashi, Grace Wine (Chuo Budoshu Co.) is Japan's most internationally acclaimed winery. The GRACE brand was established in 1953 by third-generation Kazuo Misawa. Today, fifth-generation winemaker Ayana Misawa — who trained at the University of Bordeaux under Denis Dubourdieu and at Stellenbosch University in South Africa — leads viticulture and oenology since 2008. Grace's signature achievement is the 12-hectare Misawa Vineyard in Akeno, Hokuto City, established in 2002 at 700m elevation in the area with the longest sunshine hours in Japan, overlooking Mt. Fuji, Mt. Yatsugatake, and the Southern Alps. The estate cultivates Koshu, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and other varieties using Guyot and fence-trained methods. In 2014, their Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu 2013 became the first Japanese wine to win a Gold Medal and Regional Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), the world's largest wine competition. Since then, Grace has won multiple DWWA Platinums and Golds; in 2016, Grace Extra Brut 2011 became Asia's first sparkling wine to win a DWWA Platinum. The estate earned 5 stars at the Japan Winery Award (JWA) 2025.
www.grace-wine.com ↗Cuvées
Who Is This For?
For wine lovers seeking an authentic taste of Japan — from curious newcomers to Burgundy-seasoned collectors. Grace Koshu is the definitive entry point for understanding Japan's indigenous Koshu grape: delicate, mineral, and bone-dry. The Cuvée Misawa Akeno range satisfies serious collectors and sommeliers hunting for world-class whites. Also ideal for Japanese cuisine enthusiasts who want a partner wine that truly complements sashimi, tempura, chawanmushi, and grilled ayu. A prestige gift choice for business occasions in Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are the Misawa family and what makes them special?
- The Misawa family has led Grace Wine (Chuo Budoshu) across five generations since founder Chotaro Misawa started wine production in Katsunuma in 1923. The current 5th-generation winemaker, Ayana Misawa, became head of viticulture and oenology in 2008 after studying at the University of Bordeaux under legendary professor Denis Dubourdieu and completing postgraduate work at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. She is the first woman to lead the century-old estate and has brought Grace to global recognition, including Japan's first gold medal at Decanter World Wine Awards.
- What is the Misawa Vineyard (三澤農場) in Akeno, and why does it matter?
- The Misawa Vineyard is a 12-hectare self-managed estate vineyard opened in 2002 in Akeno-machi, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, at 700 meters above sea level. Akeno is renowned as the area with the longest annual sunshine hours in Japan, creating ideal conditions for ripening grapes while retaining freshness and acidity. Surrounding mountains — Mt. Fuji, Mt. Yatsugatake, the Southern Alps, and Mt. Chagi — frame the estate. This is where Grace's flagship Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu is grown, using strict Guyot and fence-training methods across seven grape varieties including Koshu, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
- What international competition awards has Grace Wine won?
- Grace Wine holds the most impressive international competition record of any Japanese winery. In 2013, they won the first Gold Medal at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards (Gris de Koshu 2012). In 2014, Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu 2013 became the first Japanese wine to win Gold Medal and Regional Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), the world's largest wine competition. The 2016 Cuvée Misawa Akeno scored 98 points, and the winery won six consecutive DWWA Gold Medals. Grace Extra Brut 2011 won Asia's first DWWA Platinum for a sparkling wine in 2016. A Cuvée Misawa wine was named to Bloomberg's World Top 10 Wines. In 2025, Grace Wine received the top 5-star rating at Japan Winery Award (JWA).
- What is the Koshu grape, and what makes Grace Wine's Koshu unique?
- Koshu is Japan's indigenous white grape variety, believed to have traveled from Central Asia via the Silk Road to China and then Japan over 1,000 years ago. It produces pale, delicate, bone-dry whites with citrus (yuzu, grapefruit), white peach, pear, lychee, and mineral notes, with refreshing acidity and light body. Grace Wine pioneered dry Koshu winemaking and was the first to demonstrate Koshu's world-class potential. The Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu from Grace's high-altitude Misawa Vineyard shows exceptional concentration (yield below 30 hl/ha), fermented with indigenous yeasts, making it arguably the world's finest expression of the variety.
- What Japanese foods pair best with Grace Wine's Koshu?
- Grace Koshu was designed to complement Japanese cuisine. Its delicate, food-friendly style takes a back seat and lets food shine — much like sake. Classic pairings include: sashimi and sushi (especially sea bream, scallop, and fatty tuna), tempura (seafood and vegetable), chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), oden (Japanese hot pot), grilled ayu (sweetfish) with salt, yakitori, and lightly seasoned fish dishes. The Gris de Koshu works well with grilled sablefish with ponzu or vinegar-dressed seafood. Cuvée Misawa Akeno can pair with richer preparations such as abalone or grilled lobster.