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Japanese Wine Micro-Winery Owner Introductory Class

On May 27, JALPAK, headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, will launch its second class in the successful "Best Wine of Your Life! Micro-Winery Owner Course" series. This new introductory class focuses on building wine culture in unexplored regions and promotes sustainable winery management, inviting participants to delve deeper into the world of wine.

About the Journey Academy

The Journey Academy is a unique experiential learning program that invites experts who embody rich lifestyles across various regions both domestically and internationally. Participants benefit from direct insights through lectures (theoretical program) and experiences that offer genuine engagement and inspiration (practical program).

In this class, participants can explore the future potential of wine tourism and ponder on the development of the winery business that enriches local communities and the prospects of the Japanese wine industry. This class is highly recommended for wine enthusiasts, want-to-be winery owners, and those interested in creating a regional identity through local produce.

Exploring the Curved Ditch Winery

Curved Ditch Winery, founded in 1992 at the base of Mount Kakuda in Niigata, is located in a previously untouched area for wine production. The winery aims to cultivate a lifestyle enriched by wine culture through self-grown grapes, creating a "winery resort" that features accommodation, spa facilities, and restaurants, allowing visitors to enjoy a stay.

On its mission to establish Niigata as a wine-producing region, Curved Ditch Winery launched its "Winery Management School" in 2005. By 2015, four additional wineries had emerged around Curved Ditch, marking an impressive rise of Niigata's wine production to fifth in Japan, just behind Yamanashi, Nagano, Hokkaido, and Yamagata in both quantity and quality.

Signature Wines from Curved Ditch

1. Separation Series: Features Sabul, Albariño, and Pinot Noir wines. This classical winemaking style captures the essence of terroir, varietal characteristics, and vintage nuances, emphasizing the unique traits of sandy soil to achieve light yet complex flavors.

2. Funppy Series: This series focuses on creating fun and cheerful wines while exploring the potential of Japan’s excellent table grapes. The wines are designed to resemble catchy J-Pop melodies with their playful and cute tastes.

3. Animal Series: Crafted by winemaker Fumito Kakigawa as a personal project, these wines showcase his creative approach without being bound by local identity or varietal characteristics, each respecting the unique essences of the grapes while expressing Kakigawa’s distinct flavor profile.

Details on the Class

The Journey Academy’s Micro-Winery Owner Introductory Course aims to provide insights into winery management that benefits local communities and predicts the future of Japan's wine industry.

• - Date: July 26, 2025, 12:00 – 15:00
• - Location: Joy-Le Restaurant, Kinshicho
• - Instructors: Miyuki Kakutori (Wine & Food Journalist, President of the Japan Wine Grape Cultivation Association) and Fumito Kakigawa (Director and Winery Production Manager at Curved Ditch Winery).
• - Fees: ¥14,800

Participants will gain a thorough understanding of challenges and advancements in Japanese wine, discussing issues from a wine tourism perspective and learning about various winery initiatives enhancing regional vitality.

Practical Program Highlights

In addition to theoretical sessions, there’s a practical program exploring how tourism alters the landscape of wineries and enriches local economies.

• - Departure Date: August 31, 2025
• - Meals: Includes lunch
• - Pricing: ¥28,800 per person
• - Minimum Participants: 10
• - Organizer: JALPAK

This practical tour provides an unparalleled experience focusing on the unique Curved Ditch Winery and various hand-on activities such as vineyard tours and harvest experiences, complemented by a gourmet lunch at the Curved Ditch restaurant featuring exquisite French cuisine paired with delightful wines.

Note: All images included throughout this article are for illustrative purposes only.