About L'Orient Wine
- Founded
- 1938
- 88 years ago
- Location
- 甲州市
- 山梨県
- Wines listed
- 20
- Sparkling 2, White 10, Rosé 1, Red 7
- Main grapes
- Koshu, Muscat Bailey A, Adirondack
L'Orient Wine, produced by Shirayuri Brewing Co., is a family-run winery founded in 1938 by grape farmers in Katsunuma, Koshu City, Yamanashi — one of Japan's oldest and most respected Koshu producers. Now led by third-generation president Takao Uchida, who trained in winemaking in Provence, France, the winery takes its name from the French word for "the Orient," reflecting its founding ambition to craft wines of European quality rooted in Japanese terroir. Its flagship Katsunuma Koshu won a 97-point Platinum award at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021, the highest score ever recorded for a Japanese wine, and its L'Orient Koshu Vigne de Nakagawa 2021 was served to world leaders at the G7 Hiroshima Summit in 2023.
Who Is This For?
For those seeking a historic, family-run Koshu producer whose wines have earned international acclaim, from Decanter's top score to the G7 summit table.
Wines of L'Orient Wine
White10
Location & Nearby
- Address
- 山梨県甲州市勝沼町等々力878-2View map ↗
- Founded
- 1938
Source: shirayuriwine.com (checked Sep 2026) / nihonmono.jp (checked Sep 2026)
The pin with the gold outline marks L'Orient Wine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the name "L'Orient" mean?
- L'Orient is French for "the Orient," chosen by Shirayuri Winery's founders to express their ambition to craft wines of European quality rooted in Japan's Katsunuma terroir.
- What is L'Orient Wine's flagship wine?
- Its flagship is Katsunuma Koshu, which won a 97-point Platinum award at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021, the highest score ever recorded for a Japanese wine.
- Has L'Orient Wine received international recognition?
- Yes. Its L'Orient Koshu Vigne de Nakagawa 2021 was served to world leaders at the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May 2023.
- Who leads Shirayuri Winery today?
- Takao Uchida, the third-generation president since 1995, who studied winemaking in Provence, France, before returning to run the family winery.
- What grape varieties does L'Orient Wine specialize in?
- The winery specializes in Koshu and Muscat Bailey A, Japan's signature grape varieties, alongside European varieties such as Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on its own vineyards in Katsunuma.