About this wine
Solaris Chikuma River Merlot Biologique is an ultra-limited organic red cuvée from Mann's Wines' Komoro Winery, made entirely from Merlot grown in the "Beppu" single vineyard just east of the winery in Komoro City, Nagano — within the Chikuma River Wine Valley. The vineyard sits at roughly 650m elevation on a gentle south-facing slope with volcanic-ash clay soil, and has been certified organic (from cultivation through vinification) by JONA, Japan's organic certification body, since the winery began organic viticulture trials in 2010. Only a few hundred bottles are produced each vintage, fermented on skins for three to four weeks and aged 14 months in 100% French oak (medium toast), yielding a wine of pure fruit expression, refined tannins, and a distinctly mineral, terroir-driven character that sets it apart from Mann's conventionally farmed Solaris Merlot bottlings.
A rare, small-batch organic Merlot that shows how far Japanese organic viticulture has come — pure fruit and silky tannins make it approachable even for first-time Japanese wine drinkers.
Sommelier's Note
"A benchmark for organic viticulture in Japan — the Beppu vineyard's volcanic clay and JONA-certified farming give this Merlot a mineral precision that conventionally farmed Solaris bottlings simply don't have. Worth seeking out before each tiny vintage sells out."
Food Pairings
The refined tannins and pure fruit character pair beautifully with roasted lamb, grilled beef with herb butter, game dishes, and aged hard cheeses. It also complements umami-rich Japanese dishes such as sukiyaki, teriyaki-glazed duck, or grilled unagi.
When to drink it
A special-occasion bottle for celebratory dinners, or a thoughtful gift for wine lovers interested in Japanese organic viticulture — best secured while stock lasts given its tiny production.
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Merlot
- Style
- Red
- Price Range
- ¥5,800-6,500
Terroir & Winemaking
Single vineyard: "Beppu" plot, Komoro City, Nagano (Chikuma River Wine Valley), immediately east of Mann's Komoro Winery. Elevation approx. 650m, gentle south-facing slope, volcanic-ash clay soil. Organic cultivation and vinification certified by JONA (Japan Organic and Natural Foods Association). Extremely limited production of only a few hundred bottles per vintage. Skin-contact fermentation for 3-4 weeks, aged 14 months in 100% French oak barrels, medium toast.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes this Merlot "Biologique"?
- It is grown and vinified under organic certification from JONA, Japan's organic certification body, at Mann's Wines' self-managed "Beppu" vineyard in Komoro City, Nagano — part of the winery's organic viticulture program that began in 2010.
- How is it different from Mann's regular Solaris Chikumagawa Merlot?
- The standard Chikumagawa Merlot blends grapes from the Osato and Higashiyama districts under conventional farming, while the Biologique bottling is a single-vineyard wine from the organically certified Beppu plot, made in far smaller quantities.
- What does it taste like?
- It shows pure, concentrated dark berry fruit with earthy, mineral undertones and silky, refined tannins from 14 months in French oak — elegant rather than heavy.
- How many bottles are produced?
- Production is extremely limited, typically only a few hundred bottles per vintage, making it one of the rarer bottlings in the Solaris range.
- What food pairs best with it?
- Roasted red meats, game, and aged cheeses are classic matches, while umami-rich Japanese dishes like sukiyaki or grilled unagi also pair beautifully.
Want to know more about this wine?
Ask Vinami's sommelier — no intimidation, just answers.
Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
ソラリス 東山メルロー
Solaris Higashiyama Merlot
RedMerlot
Solaris Higashiyama Merlot is one of Mann's Wines' flagship red cuvées, made entirely from Merlot grown in the winery's self-managed single vineyard in the Higashiyama district of Ueda City, Nagano. Merlot was planted here in 2008 to explore the variety's potential in an area already celebrated for exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard sits at roughly 550 meters on a south-facing gentle slope, on soil formed from ancient marine sediment uplifted millions of years ago when the area was still seabed. Strict yield control, hand-harvesting, and careful berry selection precede fermentation in stainless steel tanks, followed by about 20 months of oak barrel aging; only the barrels judged worthy of the top cuvée are bottled. The wine has earned recognition including a Gold medal at the Vinalies Internationales for its 2018 vintage and a Silver medal at the Japan Wine Competition 2022.
ソラリス ル・シエル
Solaris Le Ciel
WhiteShinano Riesling · Chardonnay · Sauvignon Blanc
Solaris Le Ciel is the flagship white cuvée of Mann's Wines' premium Solaris line, produced at the Komoro Winery in Nagano. Grown on a single, self-managed south-facing slope adjacent to the winery at roughly 670-680 meters elevation, the vineyard is named after 'Tenjin,' the local place name for the plot — hence 'Le Ciel,' French for 'sky' or 'heaven.' Unlike a typical blend, Le Ciel is made through field-blend co-fermentation: Shinano Riesling (Mann's own proprietary cross), Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are harvested on the same day, judged by the ripeness balance across the plot rather than variety by variety, then pressed and fermented together. This approach — deeper than assemblage — aims to capture the terroir of the Komoro plot as a single expression rather than a sum of varietal parts. The wine shows a bright, greenish-yellow color with aromas of ripe pear, apricot, white flowers and fresh herbs, a fruit-forward and slightly oily texture balanced by crisp acidity and a faint salinity, finishing with a herbal, dewy freshness.
ソラリス 千曲川 信濃リースリング
Solaris Chikumagawa Shinano Riesling
WhiteShinano Riesling
Solaris Chikumagawa Shinano Riesling is Mann's Wines' dry white wine crafted from Shinano Riesling — a proprietary grape variety the winery bred by crossing Riesling (father) and Chardonnay (mother), officially registered in 1991. Grown for over 30 years in the Omori district around Komoro, Nagano, the vines benefit from the cool, high-altitude climate of the Chikuma River valley. To capture the grape's aromatic potential, the must undergoes overnight skin contact before fermentation, followed by quiet aging sur lie for added body and texture. The wine shows a bright lemon-yellow color with an expressive nose of pear, apricot, yellow flowers and honey; the palate opens with ripe fruit and closes on a crisp, lively acidity echoing Riesling's varietal signature.