Most inbound travelers to Nagano will visit the prefecture for its beautiful mountainous scenery, its traditional and historical sites, its quiet, laid-back lifestyle, and especially to hit the slopes in the winter months. But wine lovers will be pleased to learn that Nagano has become a notable region in Japan’s winemaking scene, with a mix of legacy and innovation found in vineyards spread across its deep valleys and hillsides. Whether you are looking for large, established wineries bringing you polish and scale, boutique operations offering small-batch craftsmanship, historical outfits blending tradition with modern tastes, or tourist-friendly spots in breathtaking locations, Nagano’s wine industry is varied and innovative, each with its own history and approach. Blessed with well-drained volcanic soils, high altitudes, and cool nights, the diverse climate of Nagano provides the perfect setting and conditions for a wide offering of wines that are sure to please.

Chikuma River Wine Valley

Villa D’Est (Tomi City)

An outstanding and popular tourist destination for wine lovers is Villa D’Est, a boutique winery known for combining sustainable winemaking practices with a picturesque tourist experience. Founded by essayist and painter Toyoo Tamamura, this winery near the city of Tomi opened in 2003.

Villa D’Est specializes in varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. Their 12-hectare estate includes a café, restaurant, and shop, all set against sweeping views of the Chikuma River Valley and the North Alps beyond. A popular spot to enjoy lunch with a beautiful view, Villa D’Est also plays a role in education, often supporting local winemaking programs like the Arc en Vigne Center, helping new vintners in the region get their start.

Website: Villa D’Est (Japanese)

Noranorah Farm & Winery (Tomi City)

Formerly known as Hasumi Farm and Winery, Noranorah is located in the city of Tomi and is often cited as one of the pioneers in the boutique winery scene in Nagano. Founded in 2005 by Yoshiaki “Nick” Hasumi, the winery specializes in small-batch Pinot Noir and Merlot, often using low-SO2 methods or wild yeast fermentation to create unique profiles.

Their wines are known to be darker and more structured than typical Japanese offerings. Hasumi-san is fluent in English, having lived in the US for several years, and he welcomes visitors to a cozy tasting room with vineyard and mountain views.

Website: Noranorah Farm & Winery

St. Cousair Winery (Iizuna Town)

Located on a hilltop in the town of Iizuna in northern Nagano, St. Cousair is more than just a winery: it is a destination. Founded by Ryozo Kuze in 1990, this winery started as an offshoot of the jam-making business he began years earlier with his wife, Mayumi. Now producing over 200,000 bottles annually, St. Cousair grows grapes such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on their own estate vineyards in the Chikuma River Valley.

Their wines are regularly the recipient of international and domestic wine awards. The winery complex includes restaurants, a shop, and a chapel, all surrounded by vineyards and gardens with stunning mountain views. They offer free and for-fee winery tours, take-out lunch at their deli counter, more elegant sit-down dining in the winery restaurant, and wine tasting in their shop. St. Cousair is a popular spot for tourists looking to pair wine with gourmet food in a spectacularly scenic setting.

Website: St. Cousair Winery

Kusunoki Winery (Suzaka City)

On a slope below the highlands of Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park, Kusunoki Winery is a small, boutique operation, founded in 2011 by Shigeyuki Kusunoki, a former salaryman who gave up his career to pursue winemaking. His winery focuses exclusively on Japanese-grown Chardonnay and Merlot grapes, aiming for high-quality, small-batch production.

Their wines are noted for their texture and subtle oak integration, with a philosophy of minimal intervention in winemaking, preferring to let the region’s cool climate and volcanic soil speak through the wine. Their 2014 Barrel Aged Chardonnay was served at the reception of the G7 Transportation Ministers Meeting in 2016. Kusunoki Winery appeals to those who appreciate craftsmanship and a more natural expression of Nagano’s terroir.

Website: Kusunoki Winery (Japanese)

Komoro Winery (Komoro City)

Komoro Winery, officially known as Manns Wines Komoro Winery, was founded by Kikkoman in 1962, and is part of Manns’ effort to produce premium wines from the terroir of the slopes of Mt. Asama. With vineyards at up to 950 meters elevation, the cool climate and ash-rich soils are ideal for European grape varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

This winery is well-regarded, and its Solaris series of wines — such as Solaris Higashiyama Merlot — has gained praise for its ripe, balanced fruit and grippy structure. A nice side trip from Karuizawa, Komoro Winery is also a visitor-friendly spot, offering daily tours where you can explore the vineyards, cellars, and wine production facilities.

Website: Komoro Winery

Chateau Mercian (Ueda City)

Considered the flagship of Japanese winemaking nationwide, Chateau Mercian was established in neighboring Yamanashi Prefecture in 1877 and later expanded into Nagano with its Mariko Vineyard in Ueda City. Located outside the city, with panoramic views across its vineyards, this well-established winery takes advantage of the rich, clay soils of the Chikuma River Valley.

The winery produces polished, internationally styled Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Backed by parent company Kirin, it offers a modern facility with a tasting counter, wine shop, and observation lounge. A guided tour in English is available (reservation required) and includes a visit to the facilities, explanation of their history and passion for winemaking, wine tasting and more.

In 2024, Chateau Mercian became the only Japanese winery to be selected for a fifth consecutive year by the publication World's Best Vineyards, which selects the world's best wineries engaged in wine tourism, and was ranked 59th best winery in the world.

Website: Chateau Mercian

Kikyogahara Wine Valley (Shiojiri City)

Izutsu Winery

One of the two southernmost wineries in our list, Izutsu Winery is located in the Kikyogahara area of Shiojiri, Nagano’s first wine-producing area. It is one of Nagano’s oldest wine producers, dating back to its founding in 1933, and today, it manages 19 hectares of vineyards, producing approximately 800,000 bottles annually. Their award-winning wines include Sauvignon Blancs, unoaked Chardonnays, and juicy Merlots.

Located on a rural road just out of town, their easy-to-find on-site shop and tasting corner offer a great chance to sample their fresh, fruit-forward style of wine that’s welcoming and affordably priced. Izutsu is an ideal winery for those looking for craftsmanship that balances tradition with accessibility. In 2024, Izutsu was awarded Best Category, Best Great Value, Gold, Silver, and Bronze at the annual Japan Wine Competition.

Website: Izutsu Winery (Japanese)

Goichi Winery

Almost right across the street, Hayashi Farm, better known as Goichi Wine is Nagano’s oldest winery and is one of the prefecture’s most respected producers. Founded in 1911, when Goichi Hayashi started planting vines on undeveloped land in the Kikyogahara area, they began producing wine in 1919 and was the first winery to introduce Merlot grapes to the region in the 1950s.

Goichi’s lineup includes Merlot, Chardonnay, and Ryugan, a local hybrid grape that matches well with Japanese dishes such as soba and wild vegetables. Goichi wines are often praised for their depth and consistency and for focusing on quality over quantity. With a century of winemaking knowledge and experience on display, its charming little shop, adjacent wine tasting area, and vineyards with Merlot vines over 70 years old are well worth visiting.

Website: Goichi Winery (Japanese)