Katsunuma Winery

Katsunuma Jozo was founded in 1937 by Yoshinori Aruga and is currently run by the brothers Jun, Sho and Hirotaka who are respectively responsible for sales, vineyard management and winemaking. They are one of Japan’s most prominent independently owned wineries, devoting themselves exclusively to grape cultivation and wine making since 1973.

They are located in Yamanashi, the center of Japanese winemaking since the late 19th century. Yamanashi is a plateau bordered by mountains which keeps out the worst rainstorms, making it relatively dry in Japan’s humid climate, allowing more suitable conditions for grape vines. The soil is a mix of clay, sand, and Japan’s signature Kuroboku volcanic black soil. Grapes are carefully grown and pruned on trellises to allow airflow to keep the grapes dry in the humid climate. 

Their signature “Aruga Branca” brand was launched in 2001; vibrant white wines made from the Koshu grape that are designed to pair with the nuances and flavors of Japanese cuisine. Koshu is a hybrid of vitis vinifera and native Japanese grapes that has grown wild in Japan for close to a millenium has adapted to Japan’s unique climate. Beyond sashimi the wines can complement and highlight the delicate flavors of tricky pairings like dashi broth, making them an ideal match for a full course Japanese menu.