#Japan #Tokyo #Winemaking Academy #Urban Winery #Swimee Japan

Urban Winery Academy 2026 Enrollment Now Open

Swimee Japan Inc., located in Koto City, Tokyo, has officially announced the start of enrollment for its Urban Winery Academy for the year 2026. This program offers individuals the unique opportunity to learn the intricacies of winemaking in a city-based winery environment.

Learn Winemaking from the Ground Up

The Urban Winery Academy provides an extensive practical program that covers everything from the fundamental concepts of wine to the actual brewing processes. By utilizing the specialized equipment available at the urban winery, students can engage in lectures and hands-on practices that facilitate a gradual understanding of winemaking, suitable for absolute beginners and advanced learners alike.

Key Features of the Urban Winery Academy

• - Systematic Learning Approach: Participants will gain insights into various topics, including an overview of winemaking, components of grapes and wine, the production processes for both red and white wines, the role of microorganisms, and the purpose of sulfur dioxide. These foundational concepts are explored through comprehensive lectures.

• - Hands-On Experience: Students will actively participate in winemaking tasks such as de-stemming (removing stems), crushing, fermentation management, racking (transferring wine from one vessel to another), and bottling. This practical approach allows students to deepen their understanding of the entire winemaking process without any limits on the number of practice sessions they can attend.

• - Tailored Learning Environment: The courses are hosted at Fukagawa Winery in Tokyo, providing a small class size that fosters direct communication with instructors and a supportive atmosphere for inquiries.

Program Structure

Lectures (8 sessions total)

Over a 4-day curriculum, participants will cover the essentials of winemaking, including:
Introduction to Wine
Components of Grapes and Wine
Production Processes of White and Red Wines
Interaction between Wine and Microorganisms
The Role of Sulfur Dioxide
Basics of Tasting and Sensory Evaluation

For those interested, there will also be lectures on urban winery management.

Practical Sessions

Scheduled from early August to mid-December 2026 (dates may vary based on grape harvest availability), students will engage in:
De-stemming and Crushing
Pressing
Punching Down / Pumping Over (this process involves stirring the skins to extract color and aroma)
Fermentation Management
Racking
Filtration
Bottling

Completion Benefits

At the conclusion of the program, participants will receive a certificate of completion along with a bottle of wine featuring a label designed by them, which they had a hand in creating during the course.
Photographs can be taken with their personalized wine labels during the graduation ceremony as well as a networking session afterward.

Enrollment Details

Lecture Dates: June 13 – July 4, 2026 (every Saturday)
Practical Session Duration: Early August – Mid-December 2026 (as grape availability allows)
Capacity: 20 participants
Tuition Fee: 110,000 yen (tax included)
Application Deadline: June 7, 2026
Location: Fukagawa Winery, Tokyo
Note: In case of excessive applications, a lottery may be conducted. If selected, refund processing will be initiated for those not able to attend.*

Application and Inquiries

Application Link: Urban Winery Academy 2026

Contact Email: [email protected]

About Swimee Japan Inc.

Swimee Japan is dedicated to managing urban wineries and organizing programs that focus on wine education and experiential learning. We aim to share the allure of winemaking by enabling more individuals to learn and experience the craft firsthand.