Toumu Winery
東夢ワイナリー
TEPCO retirees who reclaimed Katsunuma's abandoned vineyards by hand
Toumu Winery (東夢ワイナリー) is a Katsunuma winery whose founders — many retirees from the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) group — began reclaiming abandoned farmland in the Toriibira district of Katsunuma-cho, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture in 2002, before formally establishing the winery in 2004. Working the steep, machine-inaccessible slopes by hand with sickles, it took the founders a year and a half just to clear the land, and roughly five more years before the first quality grapes were harvested from what grew into a roughly 6,000-square-meter estate vineyard. The winery cultivates European varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir — alongside the indigenous Koshu grape, drawing on estate plots in both Katsunuma's Toriibira district and Akeno, Hokuto City. Beyond still wines, Toumu is known for 'Buranchu' (葡蘭酎), a distinctive spirit blending brandy distilled from Koshu grapes with Koshu wine, which was exhibited at the Shanghai World Expo. In 2019 the winery opened 'Katsunuma Wine Village' on its grounds, a multi-winery complex that supports new winery entrants and includes a wine shop, tasting facilities, and an adjacent lodging facility, 'Wine no Yado Toumu.'
toumuwinery.com/ ↗Cuvées
No cuvées registered yet.
Who Is This For?
For those drawn to underdog stories of land revival — retirees-turned-vintners who spent years hand-clearing Katsunuma's steepest abandoned slopes — and for drinkers curious about Koshu wine reimagined as brandy in 'Buranchu.'
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Toumu Winery located?
- Toumu Winery is located at 2562-2 Katsunuma, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, in the heart of the historic Katsunuma wine region.
- When was Toumu Winery founded?
- Founders began reclaiming abandoned vineyard land in Katsunuma's Toriibira district in 2002, and formally established the winery in 2004.
- What is 'Buranchu'?
- Buranchu (葡蘭酎) is a distinctive spirit unique to Toumu Winery, blending brandy distilled from Koshu grapes with Koshu wine; it was exhibited at the Shanghai World Expo.
- What is Katsunuma Wine Village?
- Katsunuma Wine Village is a multi-winery complex that Toumu Winery opened on its grounds in 2019, bringing together several small wineries and offering tastings, a wine shop, and support for new winery entrants.
- Can visitors tour Toumu Winery?
- Yes, visitors can tour the winery and taste its wines, and can also stay at the adjacent lodging facility, Wine no Yado Toumu (ワインの宿 東夢).