Fonse Group's Estate Winery "FZ farm Furusato Vineyard" First Vintage Wine to Go on Sale July 4th (Saturday)!
Key facts
- Fonse Group's Estate Winery "FZ farm Furusato Vineyard" First Vintage Wine to Go on Sale July 4th (Saturday)!
- Fonse Group will begin selling its first vintage wine, produced from grapes cultivated at its own estate winery "FZ farm Furusato Vineyard" in Nagano Prefecture, starting July 4th. Six items across four varieties, including Chardonnay and Merlot, will be available at group restaurants and online stores.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 11, 2026
Direct answer
Fonse Group will begin selling its first vintage wine, produced from grapes cultivated at its own estate winery "FZ farm Furusato Vineyard" in Nagano Prefecture, starting July 4th. Six items across four varieties, including Chardonnay and Merlot, will be available at group restaurants and online stores.
- Citation
- Fonse Group's Estate Winery "FZ farm Furusato Vineyard" First Vintage Wine to Go on Sale July 4th (Saturday)! (June 11, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 11, 2026
Fonse Group will begin selling its first vintage wine, produced from grapes cultivated at its own estate winery "FZ farm Furusato Vineyard" in Nagano Prefecture, starting July 4th. Six items across four varieties, including Chardonnay and Merlot, will be available at group restaurants and online stores.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 22:38
- 🔍 Collected: June 11, 2026 at 13:51
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:51 (27h 0m after Collected)
Fonse Group (Head Office: Karuizawa-machi, Nagano Prefecture; Representatives: Masashi Oyama / Takuya Yoshii) took over a historic vineyard in the Chikuma River Wine Valley last May and began a new initiative in grape cultivation as its own estate winery, "FZ farm Furusato Vineyard."
Last autumn marked the first harvest, and the first vintage wine, produced through contract brewing, is finally complete this summer. Sales will commence on Saturday, July 4th, at Fonse Group's various restaurants, as well as the "Sawamura Online Store" and "Suju Masayuki Shoten."
From grapes carefully cultivated in harmony with nature, without burdening vines over 30 years old, fresh and fruity Japanese wines brimming with vitality have been born.
Furusato Vineyard | Exterior FZ farm Furusato Vineyard | Logo & Map
*Fonse Group, founded in Karuizawa, handles brands such as "Karuizawa Kawakami-an," "Suju Masayuki," "Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura," and "THE CITY BAKERY."
First Vintage Wine Lineup
At "FZ farm Furusato Vineyard," four varieties are cultivated: Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This year, four types and six items—Pétillant, White, Red, and Rosé—have been brewed at three wineries. The result is fresh, vibrant wines where the fruitiness can be felt directly. The appeal also lies in being able to compare the different tastes from each brewing location.
◇Chardonnay & Riesling 2025
A Pétillant with a refreshing aroma reminiscent of lemon and green apple, featuring silky, gentle bubbles and a pleasant acidity that lingers.
◇Chardonnay 2025 a
A white wine with a sweet aroma like preserved white peaches. It harmonizes the rich nuances of ripe fruit with a mild acidity.
◇Chardonnay 2025 n
A white wine with a delicate and complex aroma reminiscent of Japanese pear, cardamom, and sansho pepper. It has a cool and light mouthfeel.
◆Merlot Rose 2025
A Rosé with a fresh aroma like acerola and a lovely berry flavor. It features a refreshing grapefruit-like acidity and a subtle saltiness that enhances food.
◆Merlot 2025
A charming and light-bodied red wine, harmonizing the juicy fruitiness reminiscent of early-picked berries with gentle tannins and acidity.
◆Cabernet Sauvignon 2025
A red wine with a blueberry-like aroma and a hint of black tea derived from barrel aging. It possesses a refined structure and freshness.
*The types handled will vary by restaurant.
*Sales will end once inventory is depleted.
FZ farm Furusato Vineyard THE 1st DROP Festival
Free Tasting Event to be Held in Kyu-Karuizawa on Saturday, July 4th
Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyu-Karuizawa | Event Venue
Sawamura | Wood-fired Oven Bread
On the day sales begin, a free tasting event for the first vintage wine will be held at "Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyu-Karuizawa."
In addition to the six types of wine, there will be tastings of Sawamura's "stone-milled and wood-fired bread," limited drinks made with grapes from the estate winery, and sales of raisin sandwiches.
In the Kyu-Karuizawa area, where the event is held, Fonse Group's restaurants "Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura," "Karuizawa Kawakami-an," and "Restaurant Suju Masayuki" will also offer dishes to pair with the wines.
FZ farm Furusato Vineyard THE 1st DROP Festival
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4th, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyu-Karuizawa, Terrace Seating
12-18 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture
For event details, click here ▶ https://b-sawamura.com/information/
◆ Fonse Co., Ltd.
Address: 1075-47 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture
HP: https://www.fonz.jp/
◆ FZ farm Furusato Vineyard
(Efuzetto Fāmu Furusato Vin'yādo)
Address: 53 Tomitake, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture
Area: Approx. 2.8 ha
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fzfarm_furusatovineyard/
● Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyu-Karuizawa
Address: 12-18 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture
HP: https://b-sawamura.com/
Last autumn marked the first harvest, and the first vintage wine, produced through contract brewing, is finally complete this summer. Sales will commence on Saturday, July 4th, at Fonse Group's various restaurants, as well as the "Sawamura Online Store" and "Suju Masayuki Shoten."
From grapes carefully cultivated in harmony with nature, without burdening vines over 30 years old, fresh and fruity Japanese wines brimming with vitality have been born.
Furusato Vineyard | Exterior FZ farm Furusato Vineyard | Logo & Map
*Fonse Group, founded in Karuizawa, handles brands such as "Karuizawa Kawakami-an," "Suju Masayuki," "Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura," and "THE CITY BAKERY."
First Vintage Wine Lineup
At "FZ farm Furusato Vineyard," four varieties are cultivated: Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This year, four types and six items—Pétillant, White, Red, and Rosé—have been brewed at three wineries. The result is fresh, vibrant wines where the fruitiness can be felt directly. The appeal also lies in being able to compare the different tastes from each brewing location.
◇Chardonnay & Riesling 2025
A Pétillant with a refreshing aroma reminiscent of lemon and green apple, featuring silky, gentle bubbles and a pleasant acidity that lingers.
◇Chardonnay 2025 a
A white wine with a sweet aroma like preserved white peaches. It harmonizes the rich nuances of ripe fruit with a mild acidity.
◇Chardonnay 2025 n
A white wine with a delicate and complex aroma reminiscent of Japanese pear, cardamom, and sansho pepper. It has a cool and light mouthfeel.
◆Merlot Rose 2025
A Rosé with a fresh aroma like acerola and a lovely berry flavor. It features a refreshing grapefruit-like acidity and a subtle saltiness that enhances food.
◆Merlot 2025
A charming and light-bodied red wine, harmonizing the juicy fruitiness reminiscent of early-picked berries with gentle tannins and acidity.
◆Cabernet Sauvignon 2025
A red wine with a blueberry-like aroma and a hint of black tea derived from barrel aging. It possesses a refined structure and freshness.
*The types handled will vary by restaurant.
*Sales will end once inventory is depleted.
FZ farm Furusato Vineyard THE 1st DROP Festival
Free Tasting Event to be Held in Kyu-Karuizawa on Saturday, July 4th
Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyu-Karuizawa | Event Venue
Sawamura | Wood-fired Oven Bread
On the day sales begin, a free tasting event for the first vintage wine will be held at "Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyu-Karuizawa."
In addition to the six types of wine, there will be tastings of Sawamura's "stone-milled and wood-fired bread," limited drinks made with grapes from the estate winery, and sales of raisin sandwiches.
In the Kyu-Karuizawa area, where the event is held, Fonse Group's restaurants "Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura," "Karuizawa Kawakami-an," and "Restaurant Suju Masayuki" will also offer dishes to pair with the wines.
FZ farm Furusato Vineyard THE 1st DROP Festival
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4th, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyu-Karuizawa, Terrace Seating
12-18 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture
For event details, click here ▶ https://b-sawamura.com/information/
◆ Fonse Co., Ltd.
Address: 1075-47 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture
HP: https://www.fonz.jp/
◆ FZ farm Furusato Vineyard
(Efuzetto Fāmu Furusato Vin'yādo)
Address: 53 Tomitake, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture
Area: Approx. 2.8 ha
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fzfarm_furusatovineyard/
● Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyu-Karuizawa
Address: 12-18 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture
HP: https://b-sawamura.com/
FAQ
Where can I buy Fonse Group's estate-grown wine?
It is available at Fonse Group's restaurants, Sawamura Online Store, and Suju Masayuki Shoten. Availability may vary by restaurant.
What are the characteristics of "FZ farm Furusato Vineyard"?
It inherited a historic vineyard in the Chikuma River Wine Valley and uses grapes grown with nature from vines over 30 years old.
Besides wine, what else can be enjoyed at the tasting event?
You can enjoy samples of Sawamura's stone-milled and wood-fired bread, limited drinks made with estate-grown grapes, and raisin sandwiches.
What is the taste profile of these wines?
While varying by grape and brewing method, they are generally fresh, fruity, and vibrant. Options include Pétillant, White, Red, and Rosé.
What other businesses does Fonse Group operate?
Centered in Karuizawa, they manage restaurant brands such as "Karuizawa Kawakami-an," "Suju Masayuki," and "Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura."