What grape is Zion made from?

Zion is made from 100% Chardonnay grown in Iizuna-machi and Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, fermented in stainless steel without oak.

Is Zion a sweet or dry wine?

Zion is off-dry, with residual sweetness balanced by crisp acidity — it sits between St. Cousair's sweet Niagara Blanc and its dry, oak-aged Chardonnay.

Has Zion been renamed?

From July 2025, St. Cousair began transitioning the wine to a new label, 'Ten Hectares Looking Toward Hometown,' though it remains widely known and sold under the original Zion name for existing vintages.

What food does Zion pair with?

Its fruity, off-dry style pairs well with lightly spicy dishes like fried chicken or sweet-and-sour pork, and it also works well as a light aperitif.

CuvéeNaganoWhite

Zion

シオン

St. Cousair

About Zion

Style: White
Grape Varieties: Chardonnay
Price Range: ¥2,300-2,600; 750ml
Alcohol: 11%

Zion is one of St. Cousair's longest-running white wines, first released in 2004 from 100% Nagano-grown Chardonnay sourced from Iizuna-machi and Nagano City. Fermented in stainless steel tanks without oak (labeled 'unwooded'), it shows fresh green-apple and citrus aromatics with residual sweetness left in the wine, giving it a soft, easy-drinking character that sits between St. Cousair's sweet Niagara Blanc and its dry, barrel-aged Chardonnay bottlings. From July 2025, St. Cousair began phasing the wine out under the Zion name in favor of a new label, 'Ten Hectares Looking Toward Hometown' ('Kokyo' wo Nozomu Ten Hectares), citing customer feedback that the original name didn't convey the wine's character; the reformulated wine is made with a similar Chardonnay base from Iizuna-machi and Nagano City fruit. Zion nonetheless remains widely referenced under its original name across retailers and past vintages.

Sommelier's Note

Zion is St. Cousair's most approachable Chardonnay — where the winery's flagship bottlings chase acidity and structure, Zion simply chases drinkability.

New to wine?

A gentle, off-dry Chardonnay that bridges sweet and dry styles — an easy first step for anyone new to Japanese white wine.

Food Pairings

The off-dry, fruit-forward style pairs easily with lightly spicy dishes, fried chicken, and seafood salads, and works as an easy aperitif on its own.

When to drink it

Casual weeknight dinners, light gatherings with friends, or as a chilled aperitif.

Terroir & Winemaking

100% Chardonnay sourced from Iizuna-machi (approx. 68%) and Nagano City (approx. 32%), Nagano Prefecture. Fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks (no oak). 750ml, ABV 11%.

About the producer

St. CousairCrafting authentic Nagano wines with a philosophy of Country Comfort.飯綱町, 長野県 · Founded 1990Visit the producer page →

More wines from St. Cousair

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Frequently Asked Questions

What grape is Zion made from?: Zion is made from 100% Chardonnay grown in Iizuna-machi and Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, fermented in stainless steel without oak.
Is Zion a sweet or dry wine?: Zion is off-dry, with residual sweetness balanced by crisp acidity — it sits between St. Cousair's sweet Niagara Blanc and its dry, oak-aged Chardonnay.
Has Zion been renamed?: From July 2025, St. Cousair began transitioning the wine to a new label, 'Ten Hectares Looking Toward Hometown,' though it remains widely known and sold under the original Zion name for existing vintages.
What food does Zion pair with?: Its fruity, off-dry style pairs well with lightly spicy dishes like fried chicken or sweet-and-sour pork, and it also works well as a light aperitif.

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