Marufuji Winery (Rubaiyat)
丸藤葡萄酒工業
Founded in 1890, Marufuji Winery is one of Japan's pioneering wineries in Katsunuma, consistently championing dry-style wines and indigenous Koshu grape expressions. Their Rubaiyat label, named after Omar Khayyam's poetry, has achieved five consecutive five-star ratings at the Japan Winery Award.
Marufuji Winery, located in Katsunuma, Yamanashi Prefecture, has been producing wine since its founding in 1890 (Meiji 23). Now in its fourth generation under the Omura family, the winery is known for its unwavering commitment to dry-style wines at a time when sweet wines dominated the Japanese market. The iconic 'Rubaiyat' brand name, adopted in 1957, is derived from the poetry collection of 11th-century Persian mathematician and poet Omar Khayyam. The winery cultivates both the indigenous Koshu variety and European varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc across 12 vineyard plots, striving to create 'Japanese wines to be proud of on the world stage.' Consecutive five-star ratings at the Japan Winery Award (2018–2023) attest to the consistently high quality of their wines.
www.rubaiyat.jp/ ↗Cuvées
プティ・ドメーヌ ルバイヤート
Petit Domaine Rubaiyat
ReddryCabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Petit Verdot · カベルネ・ソーヴィニヨン · メルロー · プティ・ヴェルド
Petit Domaine Rubaiyat is a full-bodied Bordeaux-style red wine assembled from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot—three Bordeaux varieties cultivated in Marufuji's estate vineyards. Aged in French oak barrels for approximately 11–12 months, the wine exhibits aromas of ripe fruit, toasted oak, and humus, with a smooth, expansive palate and a finish of dark chocolate. The blend composition shifts slightly each vintage to reflect the character of that year's harvest. The 2022 vintage was awarded silver at the Japan Wine Competition 2024.
ルバイヤート甲州樽貯蔵
Rubaiyat Koshu Barrel Aged
WhitedryKoshu · 甲州
Rubaiyat Koshu Barrel Aged is a more complex, structured expression of the Koshu variety than the Sur Lie bottling. A blend of barrel-fermented wine and tank-fermented wine subsequently barrel-aged, this wine shows a deeper lemon-yellow color and a harmonious integration of oak-derived vanilla and toast with the grape's natural fruit and acidity. The result is a fuller-bodied, more contemplative Koshu that reveals the variety's capacity to absorb and benefit from oak treatment.
ルバイヤート甲州 シュール・リー
Rubaiyat Koshu Sur Lie
WhitedryKoshu · 甲州
A crisp, dry white wine made from Koshu grapes grown within Katsunuma town, produced using the sur lie method—aging the wine on its lees (spent yeast) without racking until just before bottling. This technique imparts a distinctive roundness and umami depth to the characteristically delicate Koshu aromas. Bright and refreshing on the palate, it pairs exceptionally well with Japanese cuisine, particularly sashimi, sushi, and lightly seasoned dishes.
Who Is This For?
Perfect for wine lovers who want to explore the elegance of Japanese wine, particularly those who appreciate dry, food-friendly whites from the indigenous Koshu grape, and those seeking well-structured Japanese red wines made from Bordeaux varieties.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does 'Rubaiyat' mean?
- Rubaiyat is the title of a famous poetry collection by 11th-century Persian mathematician and poet Omar Khayyam, meaning 'quatrains' (four-line poems). The name was adopted in 1957 to evoke the poetic and cultural depth of their wines.
- What grape varieties does Marufuji Winery specialize in?
- The winery specializes in the indigenous Japanese variety Koshu for white wines, as well as Bordeaux varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot—for red wines. They also cultivate Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
- Can I visit the winery?
- Yes, the winery is open for visits and tastings in Katsunuma, Yamanashi. Tours are free of charge, and tastings are available for a fee. Opening hours are 9:00–16:30, closed during the New Year period.
- How has the winery been recognized for quality?
- Marufuji Winery received consecutive five-star ratings at the Japan Winery Award from 2018 to 2023, one of the most prestigious winery recognition programs in Japan.