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WEINKONTOR SOMMER
Our passion: your moments of enjoyment
We discover something special: hand-picked Japanese wines, created by masters of their craft. Every drop speaks of passion, perfection, and timeless elegance. For wine connoisseurs seeking the extraordinary.
Learn more about usThe Rise of Takahata Winery
Two anniversary wines celebrating the winery’s 35th anniversary, created as an expression of maturity, origin and the path into the future.
L'Escalier Bleu 2022
L'Escalier Rouge 2022
Innovative winemakers. Exquisite wines.
Japanese winemakers combine traditional craftsmanship with innovative viticulture technology, creating wines of unique quality and character. Discover our exclusive partner wineries.
Our winemakers and friends
Learn more about our winemakers, who produce top-quality wines using both traditional and modern methods.
The Essence of Japan: Nick Rowan’s Guide paired with two award winning wines
Literature and Terroir in Dialogue – Nick Rowan & Signature Wines
This ensemble pairs the current standard reference work in specialist literature with two distinctive terroir wines. The selection is delivered in a simple two-bottle wooden box.
The book: “Japanese Wine” by Nick Rowan
Nick Rowan’s monograph provides a scholarly exploration of Japanese viticulture across more than 500 pages. The author analyses geology, climate, and the stylistic profiles of over 720 producers.
Status The only English-language reference at this level of detail.
Content Analyses of 130 grape varieties as well as detailed cartographic work.
The selection: Two singular icons of Japanese wine culture
This set combines the mineral elegance of historic Yamanashi with the precise structure of a Merlot matured in Japan’s cooler north.
2022 Hikari Koshu – Winery Lumière, Yamanashi
A single-varietal Koshu, carefully fermented in French oak barriques and then matured for over 20 months. On the nose, aromas of quince, apricot, and fine vanilla unfold. On the palate, ripe fruit, gentle acidity, and subtle oak influence come together in harmony. Full-bodied, smooth, and with fine depth.
White wine | Dry | Grape variety: Koshu | 11.5% vol. | Yamanashi | Japan | Ageing potential ~ 2032 | Serving temperature 10–12°C | Matured 24 months in French oak barriques | Kura Master Paris 2025 Gold | 750 ml
2020 L’Ogre Bleu – Winery Takahata, Yamagata
Rich aromas of fruit such as blackberries and ripe plums are underscored by notes of red roses, coffee, toast, and vanilla. Concentrated dark fruit unfolds on the palate in harmony with Merlot’s characteristic silky tannins, supported by an elegant acidity that lends the wine power and length.
Red wine | Dry | Grape variety: Merlot | 14.0% vol. | Yamagata | Japan | Ageing potential ~ 2043 | Serving temperature 16–18°C | Matured 24 months in French oak barriques | 750 ml
JAPANESE WINE CULTURE
Rediscover tradition
Discover the world of Japanese winemaking, where delicate craftsmanship, living tradition, and visionary innovation merge. With precision and dedication, wines of exceptional refinement are created here: authentic, surprising, unique.
Learn more
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women shaping Japanese wine today. From early pioneers to today’s female winemakers in Yamanashi and Hokkaidō, this article highlights their influence on one of the most exciting wine cultures of our time.
Japanese wines stand for precision, finesse, and often moderate alcohol. This article provides an overview of history, Kōshū and the key regions from Yamanashi to Hokkaidō, with context and recommendations from the Weinkontor Sommer selection.
By Nick Rowan in collaboration with Weinkontor Sommer. Read more
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Frequently Asked Questions
Japanese wines are perfectly suited to the refined, balanced cuisine of Japan. White wines—such as those made from the Koshu grape variety—complement light dishes like tempura, grilled fish, or vegetable dishes with miso. Red wines from Japan, with their elegant structure, harmonize perfectly with teriyaki, yakiniku, or soy-based dishes. Those looking for wine to accompany Japanese food will find a stylish, authentic accompaniment here.
Yes, Japanese wine can be an excellent sake alternative. While sake is brewed from rice, Japanese wine is made from grapes, offering a completely different taste experience. It's ideal for connoisseurs seeking an exotic alternative to sake while still wanting to sample an authentic Japanese alternative.
Japanese wines are characterized by a unique combination of traditional winemaking and a distinctive terroir. As wines from Asia, they enrich the international wine world with new, sophisticated flavor profiles that couldn't be more unique. Production often takes place in small wineries with a focus on quality – the result is exclusive wines that delight connoisseurs and gourmets alike.
