Toyohashi Winery Chirol
とよはしワイナリー・チロル
Toyohashi's first winery, born from a decade-long dream
Toyohashi Winery Chirol is the first winery established in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, opened in November 2025 by Iwase Koji, a second-generation grower who has cultivated grapes, pears, and Jiro persimmons at Chirol Farm (Iwase Kajuen) in Ishimaki, Toyohashi since taking over the family orchard. After a decade-long dream, Iwase began commissioned wine production in 2018, shifted to 100% estate-grown Chirol grapes in 2019, and achieved fully self-made wine by 2022. His advocacy helped Toyohashi City gain "Wine Special Zone" designation in June 2025, lowering the minimum annual production requirement and paving the way for small wineries like his. The winery's wooden, two-story, 135-square-meter building uses Japanese-made cocoon-shaped concrete fermentation tanks. Its debut release is DA MONDE, a fruit wine made from Toyohashi's signature Jiro persimmons, with red and rosé grape wines from Muscat Bailey A to follow, and future plans for white and orange wines using Kyoho and Koshu grapes.
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Who Is This For?
For explorers of Japan's newest wine regions who want to taste history in the making — from persimmon fruit wine to emerging Muscat Bailey A reds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did Toyohashi Winery Chirol open?
- The winery held its groundbreaking ceremony in mid-2025 and completed construction in November 2025, becoming Toyohashi City's first winery.
- Who founded Toyohashi Winery Chirol?
- It was founded by Iwase Koji, the second-generation owner of Chirol Farm (Iwase Kajuen) in Ishimaki, Toyohashi, who had dreamed of opening a winery for a decade.
- What is the winery's first wine?
- Its debut release is DA MONDE, a fruit wine made from Toyohashi's signature Jiro persimmons, named after a local East Mikawa dialect phrase meaning "that's why."
- What grape wines does the winery make?
- The winery produces red and rosé wines from Muscat Bailey A grapes grown at Chirol Farm, with plans to add white and orange wines from Kyoho and Koshu grapes.
- What made this winery possible?
- In June 2025, Toyohashi City was designated a national "Wine Special Zone," lowering the minimum required annual production volume and allowing small-scale wineries like Chirol to legally open.