Maruki Wine -Maruki Winery-

In the 1870s, Ryuken Tsuchiya — one of the first Japanese to travel to France — studied language alongside cultivation methods, winemaking, and even champagne production at farms across the country. Returning home, he focused on the indigenous Koshu grape and pursued grape cultivation and brewing research in Katsunuma, aiming for Japanese wine that pairs with washoku.

In 1891, he established "Maruki Budoshu," the predecessor of today's Maruki Wine, and began selling fresh and sweet grape wine from a brewery in his own home. Through awards at Meiji-era expositions and the release of "Asahi Champagne" — said to be Japan's first champagne — the company opened up the possibilities of domestic wine early on. During the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, the company also deepened its social ties by donating wine to soldiers and aid organizations.

After the war, the company transitioned to a modern management system, and in the 1970s the winery moved to its current hillside location. In the 1980s, the winery produced one challenging new style after another — wines using concentrated juice via reverse osmosis, nigori wines, Koshu aged wines, and field-blend wines — connecting to today's motto, "Innovation backed by history."

Since the 2000s, the winery has started sustainability practices such as no-till grass cover cultivation in its own vineyards and grazing sheep in the fields. With the addition of vineyards in Hokkaido's Furano and Nagano's Shiotori, the winery also makes wine from grapes unique to cool growing areas. Through Koshu aged wines, sweet fruit wines, and sparkling styles, the winery continues to propose new ways to enjoy Japanese wine.

Founded in 1891 — Japan's oldest existing winery

The roots of Maruki Wine trace back to a winery founded in the Koshu region by Ryuken Tsuchiya, who studied winemaking in France during the Meiji era. Since its 1891 founding, the winery has continued making wine — sticking with the indigenous Koshu grape — through the turbulence of the prewar and postwar periods.

Owned vineyards with grazing sheep, spread across Japan

In addition to the Katsunuma base, the winery has owned vineyards in Furano City and Nakafurano Town in Hokkaido as well as Shiotori City in Nagano, growing grapes across varied terroirs. In the fields, sheep are released for grass cover management — environmentally conscious sustainable farming pursuing wine expression unique to Japan.

Diverse series with distinct concepts

From the 100% owned-vineyard flagship "Raison" and the aging-focused "Lafille" to "Iro," which honestly expresses grape potential, the winery offers series with distinct concepts. Sparkling "Collier de Perle," the historic "Maruki" series, nigori (cloudy), nouveau, and one-cup styles round out a lineup chosen by scene and preference.