The winery is located in the city of Katsunuma in the Yamanashi district west of Tokyo (Japan). The company's predecessor is the Dainihon Yamanashi Wine Company, founded in 1877. The current owner is Tadao Suzuki. The company's holdings include the Markham Vineyards in California's Napa Valley (since 1987) and Château Reysson in France's Médoc (since 1988). Whisky and potato brandy are also produced in Japan. The vineyards cover 100 hectares in the Hokushin, Jyonohira, Kikyogahara, Niitsuru and Toriibira vineyards in Fukushima, Nagano and Yamanashi counties. They are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Koshu, Merlot, Muscat Bailey A and Riesling varieties. The three main wine lines are called Private Reserve (top series with single-varietal wines), District (grapes from all areas) and J-Five (blend of Japanese and European varieties). In 1997, the "Château Mercian Jyonohira Cabernet-Sauvignon 1990" was the first Japanese wine to win a gold medal at an international wine competition in Bordeaux.
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