Château Mercian - Mariko Winery
These unique red wines showcase the full skill of the award-winning Mariko Winery.
Mariko Merlot 2019
Mariko Merlot 2019 from Château Mercian comes from Mariko Vineyard on the Jinba plateau in Ueda, Nagano. The wine matures for around 13 months in oak, with 5% new barrels.
Blackberry, blackcurrant and ripe strawberry are joined by dried fruit, vanilla and spicy oak notes. Concentrated fruit meets well-integrated acidity and powerful, dense tannins. Ripe berries and delicate barrel notes shape the long finish.
| Grape variety | Merlot |
|---|---|
| Overview | Red wine, dry · 13% vol |
| Aromas | Blackberry, blackcurrant, strawberry, dried fruit, vanilla and spicy oak notes |
| Structure | Full-bodied, with powerful tannins and well-integrated acidity |
| Vinification and ageing | Around 13 months in oak; 5% new barrels |
| Ageing potential | 10–15 years from the vintage |
| Food pairing | Braised beef tongue with root vegetables; roast game with mushroom jus; duck breast with orange sauce |
| Origin | Japan, Nagano, Ueda, Mariko Vineyard |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |
Quantity:
Available now
Mariko Omnis 2018
Mariko Omnis 2018 from Château Mercian is a red blend from Mariko Vineyard in Ueda, Nagano. Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot form a concentrated wine that matures for around 19 months in oak.
Blackcurrant and dark plum are joined by forest floor, conifer wood and clove. Vanilla and chocolate complement the fruit. Powerful, fine-grained tannins meet supporting acidity and a long, aromatic finish.
| Grape varieties | Cabernet Franc 41%, Merlot 34%, Cabernet Sauvignon 13%, Petit Verdot 12% |
|---|---|
| Overview | Red wine, dry · 14 % vol |
| Aromas | Blackcurrant, dark plum, forest floor, conifer wood, clove, vanilla and chocolate |
| Structure | Full-bodied and concentrated, with powerful, fine-grained tannins and supporting acidity |
| Vinification and ageing | Around 19 months in oak |
| Ageing potential | 20+ years from the vintage |
| Food pairing | Roast fillet of beef with a dark jus; saddle of venison with wild mushrooms; braised lamb with root vegetables |
| Awards | Gold – International Wine Challenge 2023 and 2025; Gold – Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 |
| Origin | Japan, Nagano, Ueda, Mariko Vineyard |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |
Quantity:
Available now
From its own vineyard to its own winery
In 2003, Château Mercian opened Mariko Vineyard on the Jinba Plateau near Ueda in Nagano Prefecture. The quality of the grapes grown there and the international recognition of the wines ultimately led to the opening of Château Mercian Mariko Winery in 2019 – right in the middle of its own vineyards.
Diversity on a distinctive terroir
Around eight different grape varieties are grown in Mariko Vineyard, including Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. The vines are trained using the Vertical Shoot Positioning system. The grapes are vinified separately according to site and cultivation method in order to express the different characteristics of the terroir as precisely as possible.
Precision to perfection
Each wine is also treated individually during maturation. Two barrel cellars with different temperatures allow Château Mercian to age the wines under the conditions best suited to each one and to guide their individual development with precision.
Château Mercian
The company’s key milestones
1877
The beginnings of Japanese winemaking
With the founding of Dai-Nihon Yamanashi Budoshu Gaisha, Japan's first private wine company was established. Two young employees were sent to France to bring European knowledge of viticulture and cellar techniques back to Japan.
1949
The Mercian brand is born
With “Mercian”, one of Japan's first modern post-war wine brands emerged – with the ambition of producing authentic Japanese wines at an international level.
1966
Japan's first international gold medal
Mercian 1962 White became the first Japanese wine to win a gold medal at an international wine competition, attracting international attention.
1970
Founding of Château Mercian
Château Mercian was established as a premium wine brand, embodying the ambition to produce high-quality Japanese wines with international appeal.
1976
Merlot in Kikyogahara
Château Mercian began growing Merlot in Kikyogahara, Nagano. The region later developed into one of Japan's most important terroirs for this grape variety.
1998
Know-how from Château Margaux
Paul Pontallier of Château Margaux advised Château Mercian. The wines from Kikyogahara, Jyonohira and Mariko in particular benefited from new impulses towards greater precision and elegance.
2003
Mariko Vineyard is established
In Ueda, Nagano, Château Mercian developed Mariko Vineyard. The vineyard, managed entirely by the winery itself, became a central project for top-quality wines shaped by their terroir.
2018
Opening of Kikyogahara Winery
Château Mercian opened a small winery specialising in top-quality wines in Shiojiri. Its main focus is the renowned Merlot wines from Kikyogahara.
2019
Opening of Mariko Winery
The first winery in the city of Ueda opened in the heart of the approximately 30-hectare Mariko Vineyard. Here, viticulture and vinification take place directly at the same location.
2020–2021
Mariko joins the world's elite
Mariko Winery was ranked 30th worldwide and named Best in Asia by “World’s Best Vineyards”, and was again selected among the world's best wineries the following year.
Contact
If you have any questions or would like help choosing a wine, please feel free to contact us directly. We will be happy to advise you personally and assist you.
