The Koshu vineyards

Bringing Modern Viticulture to Japan

The summit of Mt. Fuji is Japan's highest peak and provides a beautiful backdrop to our pioneering effort in a type of viticulture in Japan known as the Vertical Shoot Position (VSP), a method of planting that differs considerably from the pergola/canopy approach traditionally used to grow Koshu as table grapes. We sought consultants from Australia and New Zealand who used their expertise from the "New World" wine industry in climates similar to Japan to bring a scientific approach to the design, layout and cultivation of these vineyards, with valuable input from local Japanese farmers and their knowledge of the soil, climate and general expertise with local agriculture. Beyond the commercial value of these wine grapes the Koshu Wine Project is dedicated to continuing to improve viticulture in Japan through experimental vineyards and the exchange of knowledge between domestic and international experts.

Japan is generally humid with considerable precipitation and so the VSP method offers some natural advantages such as increasing the movement of air and allowing the vines to dry quickly after it rains. By carefully positioning the shoots, they can also be kept between the cordon and the floor of the vineyard which is a great way to organically reduce the challenges of disease.  Good fruit exposure is another attractive point of this method; reducing the risk of sunburn and allowing the grapes to ripen more evenly, and be picked with ease come harvest time.