Shinshu Takayama Winery
信州たかやまワイナリー
Community-owned, 13-family cooperative producing Nagano's most terroir-expressive wines
Shinshu Takayama Winery was established in 2016 by a cooperative of 13 grape-growing families in Takayama Village, Nagano Prefecture, united by a shared conviction that the village's exceptional fruit deserved to become world-class wine. Led by chief winemaker Eiichi Takano — a Yamanashi University fermentation science graduate who honed his craft in Katsunuma and Bordeaux before joining the village's wine promotion team in 2015 — the winery is both a production facility and a training ground for the next generation of Japanese winemakers. Takano's philosophy is elegantly simple: deliver grapes, tended with care by the village's families, to dining tables in their purest vinous form. He targets wines that sit gracefully within a meal, inviting another pour until the bottle is quietly empty. The winery pursues three harmonies: among its 80-plus cuvées through assemblage, between wine and food, and between the winery and the Takayama community it serves. It has received recognition at the Japan Winery Award (JWA), the Japan Wine Competition (silver in European white varieties, 2025), and the Vinalies Internationales (gold for Chardonnay 2022, 2026). The flagship 'Ant' series (named for the local dialect word for 'thank you') and the village-born 'Murayori' label showcase the terroir's range from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc to Merlot and Cabernet blends.
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Who Is This For?
For wine lovers who care about provenance and want wines that belong on a dinner table — elegant, food-driven bottles from Japan's finest cool-climate village appellation
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who founded Shinshu Takayama Winery?
- It was co-founded in 2016 by 13 grape-growing families in Takayama Village, Nagano, who pooled their resources to build their own winery. Chief winemaker Eiichi Takano, trained in Yamanashi and Bordeaux, leads winemaking.
- What is Shinshu Takayama Winery's winemaking philosophy?
- The winery pursues three harmonies: blending diverse cuvées for balance, pairing wines seamlessly with food, and strengthening ties with the local community. The goal is wine that disappears quietly into a great meal.
- What awards has Shinshu Takayama Winery won?
- The winery has won at the Japan Winery Award (JWA), earned a silver at the Japan Wine Competition 2025 (European white varieties), and a gold medal at Vinalies Internationales 2026 for its Chardonnay 2022.
- What wines does Shinshu Takayama Winery make?
- The 'Ant (アント)' series highlights single-variety expressions of Chardonnay and Merlot. 'Murayori (むらより)' is a village-sourced blend with refreshing acidity and floral aromas. The winery also produces Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet-based blends.
- Can I visit Shinshu Takayama Winery?
- Yes. The winery has a direct sales shop where you can buy wines and view the cellar through a glass partition. Opening hours are 9:00–16:00 (closed noon–13:00 and year-end holidays). Address: 7926 Urahara, Takayama Village, Kamitakai, Nagano 382-0823.