Achievement
Singapore Sake Challenge GOLD
Gio hills Winery
Cam On Merlot 2022
Category
Wine
Type
Red Wine
Producer
Gio hills Winery
Production area
Japan Nagano prefecture
Variety
Merlot 100% bought from Komoro city, Nagano
Fermentation
Stainless tank with wild yeast
Aging
Barrel for 5 months
Capacity
750 mL
ABV
12%
Tasting from winery
A balanced Merlot with aromas of black tea and chocolate, complemented by fresh fruitiness reminiscent of raspberries. The tannins are gentle, with acidity that adds to its well-rounded profile.
Winemaking: Cooled at low temperatures for 5 days for color extraction, then gradually warmed to fermentation temperature. Fermented with wild yeast, followed by a 1-month maceration, pressed, and approximately 5 months of barrel aging.
About the producer
The Story Begins on the Mimakigahara Plateau
The story of Gio Hills began in 2002 on the Mimakigahara plateau in Komoro, Shinshu. In 2002, Chardonnay was planted, followed by Merlot in 2008, and Pinot Noir in 2009, gradually expanding the vineyard area.
The representative of Gio Hills Winery, Masaki Tomioka, is also the fifth-generation owner of Nakadanaso, a traditional inn associated with the famous Japanese writer Toson Shimazaki. One of Shimazaki's lines from "Sketches of the Chikuma River" reads, "Is there no way to make myself fresher and simpler?"
Just as guests feel nostalgic yet find something new each time they visit Nakadanaso, this sentiment extends beyond the inn to a passion for wine, grape cultivation, and the establishment of a new winery.
Inspired by their father's dedication, the eldest son and his wife now manage Nakadanaso, while the youngest son, Hayato, takes charge of winemaking at their winery.
The children, who grew up watching their father's hard work, have returned to Komoro as adults, passing on their aspirations to their own children. Firmly rooted in the land of Mimakigahara like the grapes they cultivate, they continue to live robustly.
The story of Gio Hills Winery, filled with such sentiments, has only just begun.
The Sentiments Behind Gio Hills
Gio Hills Winery is situated on the Mimakigahara plateau, a gently sloping tableland where the wind constantly blows. The name "Gio Hills" combines the Vietnamese word "Gió" (wind) and the English word "Hill."
The use of Vietnamese is influenced by Hayato, the youngest son, who spent five years volunteering in Vietnam and has a Vietnamese spouse. They also produce wine in Vietnam, and it is their hope to become a bridge between the two countries, allowing people in Vietnam to enjoy Gio Hills Winery’s wines someday.
Not only in Vietnam, but it would also be a great joy if the grapes grown on the Mimakigahara plateau at Gio Hills Winery could be turned into wine and reach people around the world, carried by the wind.
About the Production Area
Japan Nagano prefecture, Mimakigahara plateau
The Environment Surrounding Gio Hills
Mimakigahara was originally a seabed that rose to an altitude of around 700 to 800 meters, creating a unique highland climate. The cool climate results in clear temperature differences between day and night, which helps maintain a rich acidity in the grapes.
This area is characterized by a rare tableland formation that is completely independent from its surroundings.
The soil is a strong clay loam, rich in yellow-red clay. Grapes cultivated in this land take longer to establish their roots, and over the years, they grow into strong and vigorous grapevines.
With an annual rainfall of just 985mm, this land offers ideal conditions for wine grape cultivation.
