Kumamoto-Origin White Wine Ranks in World's Top 10

# Kumamoto-Origin White Wine Ranks in World's Top 10
## [Kumamoto Wine Farm Co., Ltd.] Kikuka Night Harvest Koyabuno 2023 Wins Gold Medal and Top 10 at Chardonnay du Monde 2026

Kumamoto Wine Farm Co., Ltd. (Location: Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Representative Director: Kenichi Kouyama) has had its white wine "Kikuka Night Harvest Koyabuno 2023" awarded a gold medal and selected for the top 10 among 471 meticulously chosen wines from 25 countries at the "Chardonnay du Monde (Chardonnay du Monde)," an international wine competition held annually in Burgundy, France, now in its 33rd year.

This wine, highly acclaimed and submitted from around the world, is a testament to its world-class quality. In response to this award, we will strive to deliver the charm of Kumamoto's Kikuka wines to a wider audience.

Additionally, "Kikuka Chardonnay" received a silver medal, and "Kikuka Chardonnay Barrel Aged 2023" received a bronze medal at the same competition.

## ■About Chardonnay du Monde

Chardonnay du Monde is an international wine competition held annually in Burgundy, France, specializing primarily in the white wine grape variety "Chardonnay." Wines submitted from around the world undergo rigorous evaluation by experts, and it is known as a prestigious competition for competing in Chardonnay quality.

Chardonnay du Monde 2026
URL: https://www.chardonnay-du-monde.com/

## ■About Kikuka Night Harvest Koyabuno 2023

The Kikuka Chardonnay series uses Chardonnay grown by 22 producers belonging to the Kikuka Grape Production Promotion Association in Kikuka Town, Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Among them, "Kikuka Night Harvest Koyabuno" possesses clear individuality and potential, and is the highest-grade wine in the Kikuka Chardonnay series, made from carefully selected Chardonnay grapes from the Koyabuno area and Hirakawa Farm (Representative: Mr. Hiroo Hirakawa), where healthy Chardonnay is cultivated.

Chardonnay harvesting is conducted at night when temperatures are low and fruit condition is optimal (Night Harvest). This maximizes the fruit's inherent freshness and concentration.

In winemaking, after whole-bunch destemming and crushing, skin contact is performed to extract rich and concentrated juice. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out entirely in French oak barrels (100%), followed by malolactic fermentation. Over several months, batonnage (stirring the lees settled at the bottom of the wine after fermentation) is meticulously performed to refine the depth and harmony of the flavor. Subsequently, it is bottled and undergoes long-term bottle aging in underground cellars. It is released at an appropriate time, monitored throughout the aging process.

## ■Product Overview

Product Name: Kikuka Night Harvest Koyabuno 2023
Type: White, Dry
Volume: 750ml

*Scheduled for release around February 2027 (Price and sales methods undecided)

This wine is currently undergoing aging and preparation for release.
Latest information regarding its release will be sequentially announced on our official website and social media.
For purchases of other products, please use our online store.

Kumamoto Wine Farm Online Store
URL: https://kumamotowineonline.co.jp/collections/du-monde2026
Instagram
Account: @kumamotowinefarm

## ■Company Profile

Company Name: Kumamoto Wine Farm Co., Ltd.
Location: 168-17 Mitsuzuka, Izumi-cho, Kita-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
Business Description: Grape cultivation, wine production and sales, winery operation
URL: https://kumamotowinefarm.co.jp/

## ■Contact Information

Kumamoto Wine Farm Co., Ltd.
TEL: 096-288-0799
MAIL: info@kumamotowine.co.jp