Wakayama Yuasa Winery

Wakayama Yuasa Winery is operated by TOA Corporation in Yuasa, Arida District — the town where Japanese soy sauce originated some 750 years ago. Opened in June 2019 and merged in October 2023 with its sister facility, formerly known as Wakayama Winery, the winery draws on Yuasa's centuries-old fermentation culture and Wakayama's reputation as a fruit kingdom. Merlot, Chardonnay, Marselan, Koshu, and the cold-hardy hybrid Hokuto no Shizuku are grown across three vineyards in neighboring Arida City and Aridagawa Town, including a former abandoned mandarin orchard replanted with Merlot vines. Winemaking is led by chairman Takuya Hashimoto and winemaking manager Isao Nishiuma, who favor early-morning harvests and careful temperature and pH control. The winery's 100%-Wakayama-grown 'Wa' series and the broader 'TOA200' range have earned gold medals at the Sakura Award, while the fruit-forward 'Houka' liqueur line channels local citrus and stone fruit into wine-based drinks.