Dai-Nihon Yamanashi Budoushu-Gaisha, a forerunner of Mercian, was established in 1877 as Japan’s first wine company. In the same year, two young employees were sent to France, the home of viticulture, to study grape cultivation and wine production. These developments marked the start of inemaking in Japan. From such origins, Mercian has grown into a leading wine company.

The Chateau Mercian series produced by our Katsunuma Winery represents a continuation of this venerable tradition.

Fine wine can only be produced using top quality grapes. In 1966, Chateau Mercian became the first Japanese wine to win top prize in an international wine competition. This achievement reflected effective research into grape cultivation and climate, and was also attributable to our efforts to enhance fermentation techniques. Since its launch in 1970, the Chateau Mercian series has established a proud record of achievements, winning several international wine competitions.

In 2002, we completely revamped the series, promoting it as a genuine Japanese wine made from only Japanese grapes. As a result, the series became popular overseas, where it was seen to express Japanese finesse and elegance. The series has also attracted attention as the only Japanese wine to be selected seven times for the biennial New York Wine Experience - one of the largest wine-tasting events in the world.

The Mercian brand was born in 1949, soon after World War II. The market has matured considerably since then. We have kept pace with such change by introducing the most suitable wines at appropriate moments. This approach has maintained our position as Japan’s leading wine company. In 1994, we launched Bon Marche, an innovative product selling for \500 that has contributed to the expansion of the wine market. In addition, in 1996, we introduced Bon Rouge, a “health wine” with high polyphenol content. Such products have enabled consumers to enjoy wine in a wider variety of ways.

We continue to develop and sell wines tailored to the diverse tastes of consumers. Examples include, Oishii-sankaboshizaimutenka, a delicious and additive-free wine high in antioxidants that we created in response to growing health concerns relating to foods and beverages; and Bistro, a wine that can be enjoyed with meals on a daily basis.

Our sterling reputation has facilitated partnerships with the world’s top wineries. We share the same goal as other worldrenowned wine producers - namely, to make superb wines. This commitment has enabled us to build firm relationships of trust, on which we rely when establishing agreements for the Import and sale of overseas wines in Japan.

In addition to wines from traditional winegrowing countries, including France, Italy and Germany, we also offer a wide range of “New World” wines that offer outstanding value. We also continue to promote the greater acceptance of wine among Japanese consumers. As an example, we have sought to break down one barrier that has prevented many consumers from enjoying wine - that is, the need for a corkscrew - by actively importing wines in bottles with screw caps.

Choosing wine is pleasurable for many, but it can also be a difficult challenge. Going forward, we will continue to see our mission as being to encourage consumers‘ confidence in our ability to select wines that match their tastes, as well as to establish a leading position in the Japanese wine market.