Iwanohara Vineyard “Heritage 2019” Gold Prize at Japan Wine Competition! (Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture)

2022.10.6

wineJoetsu CityIwahara Vineyard

Heritage, first time in 7 years!

Heritage 2019, a red wine produced by Iwanohara Vineyard in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, won a gold medal in a competition for wines made from 100% domestic grapes.

The gold medal in the Japan Wine Competition 2022 went to Heritage 2019, a red wine from Iwanohara Vineyard.

This year’s competition had 706 entries in 12 categories. Heritage 2019 was awarded the Gold Medal in the “Domestic Improved and Other Varieties Red” category, out of 116 entries.

Kazuaki Kanda, President, Iwanohara Budouen
It is motivating for us to have (our) best varieties recognized in the prestigious Japan Wine Competition.”

The grapes used for Heritage 2019 are Muscat Baily A, Black Queen, and Baily Alicante A. All of these varieties were created by Zenbe Kawakami, the founder of Iwanohara Vineyard and the father of Japanese wine grapes.

According to Iwanohara Vineyard, the grapes were small in 2019 due to low rainfall, but there were no diseases and the grapes were healthy. The wine is dark in color, concentrated, spicy, and has a complex flavor from the oak.

This year was the first time in three years that the Japan Wine Competition was held at Corona Disaster. This year, Iwanohara Budouen entered 10 wines and 7 of them, including Heritage, won awards.

＜Silver Prize＞
　Muscat Baily A 2020
＜Bronze Prize＞
　Deep Snow Flower Red
　Black Queen 2020
　Zen Sparkling Rosé
<Encouragement Award＞
　Rose Ciotar 2021
　Red Millenium 2021 Sweet

Mr.  Ueno, Chief Engineer of Iwanohara Vineyard
Heritage goes well with high-quality meat. I hope you enjoy it with sukiyaki and other dishes.

This is the first time in seven years that Iwanohara Vineyard’s “Heritage” wine has won a gold medal since “Heritage 2013” was entered in 2015. The Heritage 2019 is priced at 5,500 yen per bottle including tax.