Grace Wine

Chuo Budoshu, known by its brand name Grace Wine, was established in 1923 by Chotaro Misawa in Katsunuma, Yamanashi Prefecture. The estate has remained under the management of the Misawa family for five generations, maintaining a focus on the viticultural potential of their home region. Shigekazu Misawa, the fourth generation head, oversaw a period of significant modernization and was instrumental in founding the Koshu of Japan organization to promote the variety globally. His daughter, Ayana Misawa, currently serves as the chief winemaker and chief executive officer. She took over winemaking responsibilities in 2008 after completing intensive enological training and working vintages in regions including Bordeaux, Stellenbosch, and the Loire Valley.

The winery operates several vineyard sites across the Yamanashi region, with primary holdings in the Katsunuma and Akeno districts. The Misawa Vineyard in Akeno is situated at 700 meters above sea level and benefits from volcanic ash soils and high levels of sunshine. In the Katsunuma area, the estate sources from the Hishiyama district, known for granite and gravelly clay soils at 500 to 600 meters, and the Toriibira district, which features well drained clay and gravel. Grace Wine pioneered the use of vertical shoot positioning for the Koshu grape in Japan, a technique that allows for better canopy management and increased flavor concentration compared to traditional pergola systems. The viticultural approach emphasizes hand harvesting and avoids the use of herbicides or chemical fertilizers in their primary estate holdings.

Grace Wine is credited with elevating the Koshu variety from a local specialty to an internationally recognized fine wine. In 2014, the estate became the first Japanese winery to win a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards for its Koshu Private Reserve. This was followed in 2016 by a Platinum Award for the Grace Extra Brut, the first Asian sparkling wine to achieve such a distinction. The signature Cuvée Misawa label, particularly the Koshu from the Akeno vineyard, often receives high critical acclaim for its mineral clarity and depth. Beyond Koshu, the winery produces expressions of Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with traditional method sparkling wines that emphasize precision and natural acidity.