Steps Taken to Make Niigata a Famous Wine-producing Region
About 30 minutes by car west of downtown Niigata on a national highway along the coast, in a quiet area surrounded by pine forests at the foot of Mt.Although there are now vast vineyards, this used to be an undeveloped sandy area that no one paid much attention to.In 1992, the first vines were planted in this area by “Cavedotch Winery.The owner of the winery at that time wanted to realize the traditional European style of winemaking that he had learned in Germany in Japan, and set his sights on producing “100% domestic fresh grapes and 100% European wine grapes.The founder, who wanted to find a place with a climate similar to that of Europe and avoid rainy and hot areas, chose Kakudahama because of its easy access to the Tokyo metropolitan area and other commercial areas, as well as the availability of a site of a certain size at a reasonable price.
Its proximity to the coast and its sandy, sandy soil are the most distinctive features of this land.Grapes grown in this sandy soil give the wine a light, delicate, and floral aroma.Drainage is excellent, but nutrients are scarce.In order to find the right variety for the soil, we have spent a lot of time growing many varieties and repeating trial and error.Finally, they found a white variety called “Albariño,” which is native to Spain.It has a gorgeous aroma and a salty taste, and is characterized by medium-sized, small grains and small bunches, with a slightly thick skin.He started growing it 17 years ago, and in the third year, he finally found a good response.Over time, he gradually increased the area under cultivation and gained confidence in “Niigata-grown Albariño.However, no matter how much they produce, without the needs of consumers and the market, there is no business.In parallel, he began a steady effort to spread Albariño seedlings to wineries in various regions.As a result, Albariño is now a variety that has attracted the attention of many wineries, liquor stores, and consumers in Japan.
Niigata Wine Coast” is finally born!
From 2006 to 2024-present, winemaker Fumito Kakegawa’s goal is to create soft, gentle wines.I want to make wines that are light and friendly, that show the nuances of this soil.”Personally, he prefers natural wines to heavy, classic wines.He is not concerned with global standards or awards, but rather with making wines that everyone can enjoy.
There are five other wineries in the vicinity of the Curvedotch Winery: Fermier, Domaine Chao, Cantina Giosetto, and Le Cinq Winery.From the very beginning, Curvedotch did not intend to produce wine on its own.After opening the winery, the company gathered wine-loving comrades and opened a “winery management school” to train winemakers by providing detailed instruction on everything from vineyard management to winemaking techniques.The goal was to increase the number of producers and make the area into a wine-growing region.The desire to make the area a famous wine-producing region gave birth to the “Niigata Wine Coast” and fostered Niigata’s wine culture.
Providing value to the Carved Ditch experience that does not end with the famous wine-producing region
The development of Curved Ditch as a conventional resort facility is another notable feature.
In 2009, the hotel and spa facility “Curvedocci Vine Spa” was launched to provide a place for local residents to relax and enjoy hot springs, and has continued to evolve since then.In 2019, they opened the “Winery Stay Travigne” auberge under the new concept of “staying at a winery.
Rather than selling products outside of the prefecture or to the Tokyo metropolitan area, they wanted to encourage Niigata customers to visit and enjoy local wine here, and found value in the “experience gained from staying in the area.They focused on the “experience that can be gained by staying in the area,” and created a restaurant, bakery, marché, and sausage workshop, as well as a hall that offers hot springs, lodging, and even wedding ceremonies, all of which can be enjoyed along with the wine.The representative of the company, Mr. Taku Imai, says, “Enriching the experience of our guests’ visit makes the wine taste even better.Rather than selling products outside of the prefecture or to the Tokyo metropolitan area, they wanted to encourage Niigata customers to visit and enjoy local wine here, and found value in the “experience gained from staying in the area.They focused on the “experience that can be gained by staying in the area,” and created a restaurant, bakery, marché, and sausage workshop, as well as a hall that offers hot springs, lodging, and even wedding ceremonies, all of which can be enjoyed along with the wine.The representative of the company, Mr. Taku Imai, says, “Enriching the experience of our guests’ visit makes the wine taste even better.
In March 2022, a new book lounge with a collection of about 4,000 books opened in the existing “Vinespa” spa facility.This facility attracted attention because it was designed by Masataka Haba, the creative director of “Children’s Book Forest Nakanoshima” by Tadao Ando, which will open in Osaka in March 2020.It is a space filled with luxury where people who visit for the purpose of wine can satisfy their intellectual curiosity and interest through books, using wine as a touch point.He says that he will continue to aim to provide new values that can be experienced with such wine.
We are committed to making delicious wines that are suited to Niigata’s soil,” he said.We want to continue to offer wines that can only be made here and experiences that can only be had here.”Imai and Kakegawa share the same aspiration.Curvedotch Winery exudes the pride of Japanese craftsmanship that certainly lives on in the European tradition while enriching the multi-layered experience as a winery resort.They are setting a new standard for wineries in Japan.
