Hokkaido Wine Co.'s 'Katsura no Sato Hidetoshi Kerner 2021' Wins Grand Gold Award at Japan Wine Competition 2026

Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Otaru City, Hokkaido, Representative Director: Kimiya Waga, hereinafter referred to as 'the Company') announces that at the 'JAPAN WINE COMPETITION (Japan Wine Competition) 2026' held on July 15, 2026 (Wed), the Company's 'Katsura no Sato Hidetoshi Kerner 2021' (Category: European Varieties White) won the highest award, the 'Grand Gold Award', and a total of 15 items, including 2 gold awards, 5 silver awards, and 7 bronze awards in 5 categories, were awarded. Note that this is the first time the Company has won the Grand Gold Award.

Japan Wine Competition 2026 Results

Grand Gold Award

● Award Category: [European Varieties White]

Katsura no Sato Hidetoshi Kerner 2021

'Katsura no Sato Hidetoshi Kerner 2021' won the Grand Gold Award

[For Sale] GI Hokkaido Certified Product

[Variety: Kerner] Harvest Location: Katsura Farm (Yūichi Town, Hokkaido) [White/Dry, 750ml, ALC:14%] Suggested Retail Price: 2,992 yen (List Price: 2,720 yen) JAN Code: 4990583-309798

This wine is made from Kerner grapes grown at Katsura Farm in Yūichi Town, Hokkaido, which have been nurtured by the rich sunlight of the region. It has a crisp acidity that creates a pleasant tension, along with a rich fruitiness and a lingering aftertaste. This wine proves that Yūichi Town in Hokkaido has matured into a region that produces some of the best wines in Japan.

'Winemaking is agriculture.' Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd. Since 1985, when no one imagined that Yūichi Town in Hokkaido would become a major wine grape producing region, Hidetoshi Katsura has been facing the harsh climate of the northern country and laying the foundation for cultivation technology. His uncompromising attitude and the high quality of the grapes he produces have been a major driving force in making Yūichi Town famous as a wine region, and can be said to be one aspect of the history of winemaking in Hokkaido.

Mr. Katsura and other skilled grape growers in Yūichi Town, who are passionate about their work, believe that the cultivation environment in this region produces a 'terroir' (terroir) that can compete with the world with beautiful acidity and rich aroma, and continue to challenge themselves to grow grapes, walking with us.

This year, the fact that we were able to win the highest award, the 'Grand Gold Award', with Mr. Katsura's Kerner, is proof that the 'winemaking as agriculture' that grape farmers and wineries have been working together on for many years has been recognized by many people and has borne the highest honor, and it is an irreplaceable joy.

We will continue to work with farmers to produce attractive wines from the northern land, so that this wine, nurtured by the beautiful terroir of Yūichi Town in Hokkaido, will further spread the value of Japanese wine.

Gold Award

● Award Category: [European Varieties White]

Katsura Vineyard ~ No.4 ~ Kerner 2024

'Katsura Vineyard ~ No.4 ~ Kerner 2024' won the gold award in the [European Varieties White] category

[For Sale] Limited Production 3,500 bottles GI Hokkaido Certified Product

[Variety: Kerner] Harvest Location: Katsura Farm [Field No. 4] (Yūichi Town, Hokkaido) [White/Dry, 750ml, ALC:13%] Suggested Retail Price: 4,488 yen (List Price: 4,080 yen) JAN Code: 4990583-320489

This wine is made from Kerner grapes grown in Field No. 4 of Katsura Farm in Yūichi Town, Hokkaido, by Hidetoshi Katsura, a master of grape growing. Through careful skin contact and low-temperature fermentation, the aroma of citrus and white flowers stands out, and a clean acidity and a solid structure are harmonized to create a crisp, dry wine. This wine expresses the character of the vineyard.

● Award Category: [Orange Wine] New Category in 2026

Tsuru-numa Pinot Gris Orange 2023

'Tsuru-numa Pinot Gris Orange 2023' won the gold award in the newly established [Orange Wine] category this year

[For Sale] GI Hokkaido Certified Product

[Variety: Pinot Gris] Harvest Location: Directly Managed Farm 'Tsuru-numa Winery' (Uruocho, Hokkaido) [Orange/Dry, 750ml, ALC:11%] Suggested Retail Price: 2,992 yen (List Price: 2,720 yen) JAN Code: 4990583-324692

Since 1976, Pinot Gris grapes have been grown in our directly managed farm, fermented with the skins, and aged in wooden barrels for 10 months. This orange wine has a bright orange color, a gentle vanilla aroma reminiscent of dried apricots, and a harmonious combination of mellow tannins.

Silver Award

5 items won the silver award

From the left in the image,

● Award Category: [European Varieties White]

Experimental Batch Kerner 2024

[For Sale] Limited Production 1,941 bottles

[Variety: Kerner] * Organic farming (Organic JAS) Harvest Location: Directly Managed Farm 'Hokkaido Wine Shiribeshi Vineyard' (Niki-cho, Hokkaido) [White/Dry, 750ml, ALC:13.5%] Suggested Retail Price: 4,059 yen (List Price: 3,690 yen) JAN Code: 4990583-352084

This wine is made from Kerner grapes grown in our directly managed farm and certified by Organic JAS. It has a transparent, greenish lemon yellow color. The aroma of acacia, honey, apple, ripe peach, and apricot spreads richly. It has a rich volume and lively acidity, with a bitter aftertaste that elegantly complements the full-bodied flavor.

Tazaki Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2025

[Coming Soon] Limited Production 3,100 bottles GI Hokkaido Certified Product

[Variety: Sauvignon Blanc] Harvest Location: Tazaki Farm (Yūichi Town, Hokkaido) [White/Dry, 750ml, ALC:12%] Suggested Retail Price: 4,488 yen (List Price: 4,080 yen) JAN Code: 4990583-320533

Masanobu Tazaki, one of the grape growers in Yūichi Town, Hokkaido, known as a 'master of grape growing', We harvested Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Tazaki Farm, which are healthy and have a high sugar content. This wine has a wonderful aromatic aroma and a hard acidity, making it a fragrant dry wine.

● Award Category: [Orange Wine] New Category in 2026

Tsuru-numa Barrel-Aged Pinot Gris Orange 2023

[For Sale] GI Hokkaido Certified Product

[Variety: Pinot Gris] Harvest Location: Directly Managed Farm 'Tsuru-numa Winery' (Uruocho, Hokkaido) [Orange/Dry, 750ml, ALC:11%] Suggested Retail Price: 2,992 yen (List Price: 2,720 yen) JAN Code: 4990583-324692

Since 1976, Pinot Gris grapes have been grown in our directly managed farm, fermented with the skins, and aged in wooden barrels for 10 months. This orange wine has a bright orange color, a gentle vanilla aroma reminiscent of dried apricots, and a harmonious combination of mellow tannins.

● Award Category: [Rosé Wine] [Category Highest Award]

Vineyard Blend Pinot Noir & Zweigelt Rosé 2024

[For Sale] Limited Production 2,700 bottles GI Hokkaido Certified Product

[Variety: Pinot Noir 50%, Zweigelt 50%] Harvest Location: Pinot Noir (Katsura Farm), Zweigelt (Tazaki Farm) * Both