Shimane Winery
島根ワイナリー
Japan's most visited winery near mythological Izumo Taisha. JWA 2025 four-star winner with gold medals at the Japan Wine Competition. Free factory tours, tastings of 9 wines, and Shimane wagyu BBQ on site.
Shimane Winery (島根ワイナリー) was established in 1986 in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, tracing its roots to a grape processing cooperative founded in 1959. Located just minutes from Izumo Taisha—one of Japan's most sacred Shinto shrines—it is one of the most visited wineries in western Japan, welcoming over one million visitors annually. The winery operates on three integrated pillars: grape cultivation, wine production, and tourism, with all raw materials sourced exclusively from within Shimane Prefecture. Its flagship 'Enmusubi' (縁結) series, named for the shrine's deity of matchmaking, spans still and sparkling wines from Muscat Bailey A, Koshu, Delaware, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. In 2008 the winery opened Yokota Vineyard in Okuizumo-cho (altitude 430–440 m), where Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon thrive in the mountain climate. Shimane Winery received a 4-star award from the Japan Winery Awards (JWA) 2025 and has earned multiple gold medals at the Japan Wine Competition, including the 2025 gold for Enmusubi Muscat Bailey A 2023.
www.shimane-winery.jp/ ↗Cuvées
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Who Is This For?
Wine enthusiasts curious about Japanese indigenous varieties (Koshu, Muscat Bailey A) and terroir-driven wines from an unexpected region. Ideal for tourists visiting Izumo Taisha who want to bring home a bottle of 'enmusubi' (bond-making) wine as a meaningful souvenir.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the 'Enmusubi' wine series?
- Enmusubi (縁結, meaning 'tying bonds' or 'matchmaking') is Shimane Winery's flagship premium series, named in honor of Izumo Taisha's deity of love and fate. The range includes red (Muscat Bailey A), white (Koshu, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay), and sparkling (Brut) wines. It won gold at the 2025 Japan Wine Competition in the domestic improved variety red category.
- Can I visit Shimane Winery without a reservation?
- Yes. The winery is open year-round (9:30–17:00, factory tour 9:30–16:30) with no reservation needed. Admission, factory tours, and tastings of 9 wine varieties are all free. The Chateau Misen barbecue restaurant is also on-site (open for lunch and dinner on weekends/holidays).
- What grape varieties does Shimane Winery use?
- All grapes are sourced from within Shimane Prefecture. Main varieties include Muscat Bailey A, Koshu, Delaware, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Muscat Bailey A and Koshu represent the winery's deepest expertise in Japanese indigenous wine.
- What awards has Shimane Winery won?
- Shimane Winery received a 4-star rating from the Japan Winery Awards (JWA) 2025. At the Japan Wine Competition, the winery won two gold medals in 2024 (Enmusubi Koshu and Enmusubi Sparkling Brut) and a gold in 2025 for Enmusubi Muscat Bailey A 2023. In 2023, all five submitted wines placed—only the second time this has occurred since 2004.
- How close is Shimane Winery to Izumo Taisha?
- Shimane Winery is located approximately 2 km east of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine along National Route 431, about a 5-minute drive. The area is extremely popular with tourists, making the winery a natural add-on to any pilgrimage or sightseeing itinerary in Izumo.