Okuizumo Vineyard is a winery surrounded by beautiful mountains and nature in Kisuki Town, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. With its clear air, pure water, and changing seasonal scenery, the winery produces high-quality Japanese wine based on the philosophy of living in harmony with nature and coexisting with the local community.
The winery uses grapes carefully cultivated in its own vineyards and focuses on making wines that express the character of the local land. Its representative varieties, including Chardonnay and Shokoshi, a hybrid variety descended from Japanese mountain grapes, have earned high praise in Japan and attracted wine enthusiasts looking for distinctive Japanese wines.
Okuizumo Vineyard follows the principle that “there is no technique more important than choosing the right grape variety.” Rather than forcing particular varieties to grow, the vineyard selects grapes suited to the local climate and natural conditions.
The winery also works to reduce its environmental impact by minimizing the use of agricultural chemicals and practicing grass-covered cultivation. These methods help create a healthier growing environment while allowing the grapes to develop naturally.
Because Okuizumo receives considerable rainfall, the vineyard has also introduced practical measures such as rain-protection systems. These careful efforts help protect the grapes from local weather conditions and bring out their natural flavors as fully as possible.
Annual production is approximately 50,000 bottles, a relatively small amount compared with large-scale wineries. This limited production allows the winemakers to pay close attention to every stage of the process and carefully finish each bottle.
The harvested grapes are carefully selected, while fermentation temperatures and timing are closely controlled. Even the final steps, such as applying labels to the bottles, are carried out by hand.
This attention to detail reflects the winery’s philosophy of treating wine as an agricultural product that begins with the land and the grapes.
Shokoshi is one of Okuizumo Vineyard’s signature red wines. The variety has its roots in yamabudo, or Japanese mountain grapes, which grow naturally in Japan’s mountainous regions.
The wine is known for its deep color, striking acidity, and distinctive aroma with a wild, earthy character. Its flavor profile is quite different from wines made from typical European grape varieties, making it an interesting expression of Japanese terroir.
Its character develops further with aging, and the wine has considerable potential for long-term maturation. This distinctive quality has earned it a following among wine enthusiasts.
Chardonnay is the winery’s flagship white wine. Grapes grown in Okuizumo’s climate are carefully crafted to highlight their natural character.
The wine features refreshing aromas reminiscent of green apple and citrus, combined with pleasant acidity. Its balanced character also makes it an excellent companion to food.
Different styles are available, including oak-aged and unoaked Chardonnay, allowing visitors to compare how different winemaking approaches influence the character of the same grape variety.
During the winemaking season, visitors can look through windows into the production area and observe parts of the process, including pressing, fermentation, and bottling.
Seeing the winemaking process up close provides a fascinating opportunity to understand how grapes are transformed into wine. At the tasting area, visitors may also have the chance to sample limited-edition wines that are not widely available elsewhere.
The on-site shop sells a selection of wines along with wine-related goods and local specialty products.
Many of the products reflect the character of the region and the philosophy of the producers, making the shop a convenient place to find a memorable souvenir from Okuizumo.
The winery’s restaurant serves dishes prepared with an abundance of fresh local ingredients. The close relationship between the chefs and local producers is reflected in menus carefully created to complement the wines.
Enjoying a meal paired with wine made from grapes grown in the surrounding area offers a chance to experience the connection between local agriculture, cuisine, and winemaking.
The Garden Café is another popular place to relax. Guests can enjoy food while feeling the fresh air and surrounding nature from the lawn area.
Light meals and sweets such as pizza, pancakes, and gelato are available, making it a pleasant spot to spend a leisurely afternoon. The Garden Café is closed during part of the winter season.
Okuizumo Vineyard regularly hosts events such as harvest festivals and wine parties. Grape-harvesting events are particularly enjoyable because local residents and visitors can work together and share in the excitement of the winemaking process.
These activities express the winery’s philosophy of coexistence. Rather than operating separately from the surrounding community, the vineyard creates opportunities for producers, residents, and visitors to connect through food, wine, and agriculture.
Okuizumo Vineyard was established in 1990 and began full-scale wine production in 1992.
Its origins can be traced to grape cultivation undertaken by Kisuki Dairy. The winery subsequently developed with support from local investment and continued to grow as its winemaking experience and technical expertise improved.
The early years involved considerable experimentation and challenges. Over time, however, the winery steadily improved the quality of its wines and has grown into an important producer contributing to the development of Japanese wine.
Okuizumo Vineyard is more than simply a place where wine is produced. Located within the expansive Shoku-no-Mori complex, it is also an attractive destination where visitors can enjoy the region’s nature, food, agriculture, and local culture.
The surrounding vineyards and mountains create a peaceful landscape that changes throughout the seasons. Walking through the grounds and looking across the vineyards offers a refreshing break from the pace of everyday life.
The winery is especially appealing for travelers who want to discover a different side of Japan—one connected not only with famous temples and shrines, but also with local agriculture and modern Japanese food culture.
Okuizumo Vineyard is approximately 10 minutes by car from either Kisuki Station or Hinobori Station on the JR Kisuki Line.
The winery is approximately 15 minutes by car from the Mitoya-Kisuki Interchange on the Matsue-Hiroshima Expressway.
From the Miyoshi Interchange on the Chugoku Expressway, the drive takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Okuizumo Vineyard offers a unique way to experience the character of Shimane through Japanese wine. The winery’s vineyards, production facilities, restaurant, café, and surrounding natural landscape all reflect a close relationship between the land and the people who cultivate it.
From distinctive wines made with Japanese mountain-grape varieties to elegant Chardonnay, each bottle tells a story about the climate and agricultural traditions of Okuizumo.
Visitors can combine a winery visit with sightseeing at Izumo Taisha and other attractions in the Izumo and Unnan area. Take time to enjoy the mountain scenery, taste locally produced wine, and discover how nature and craftsmanship come together in the wines of Okuizumo.