HOKKAIDO Kitajima Hideki Zweigelt

Hokkaido Wines owns 447 ha estate and processes 2,500t of grapes annually in Hokkaido, where it has perfect environment for genuine winemaking; the temperature difference between day and night, cool climate and low humidity during summer – growing season of berries. However their establishment of vineyard in 1972 started with full of difficulties. The company started a vineyard in Tsurunuma district importing grafts from Rheinland, Germany where the climate is similar to Hokkaido. Their cultivation was started unwell due to difficulties such as attack by wild animal and withering of grafts. Overcoming the difficulties, they welcomed a German viticulturist Gustav Grun in 1977 then, Hokkaido Wine Company extremely enhanced their skills in viticulture and winemaking. They have successfully become one of the biggest vineyards and wineries in Japan.