Our winemaking history dates back to 1877 when "Dai-Nihon Yamanashi Budoushu-Gaisha", the forerunner of Mercian Corporation, was established, and this marked an epoch in Japanese domestic viticulture.
After a long journey, it was 1949 when "Mercian", the first real domestic wine, was released, and this brand became a Japanese winemaking legend. Since then, it has been always our goal to produce outstanding Japanese wines which would win a worldwide acclaim.

In 1966, "Mercian 1962 White" became the first Japanese wine to be awarded a gold prize in the international wine competition. This was the moment Japanese domestic wine was ranked among great wines of the world.

Not long after, in 1970, "Château Mercian" was born. "Château Mercian", as a genuine successor of history of Japanese viticulture, brought a new era of Japanese fine wine making.


In order to make attractive fine wines, we should start with realizing the best environmental condition in which high quality grapes can be harvested - as a pioneer of Japanese fine wine producer, we have started to develop "Château Mercian" with this primary concept. In 1976, the cultivation Merlot, a native grape variety of Europe, was started at Kikyogahara estate, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon at Jyonohira estate in 1984.

Particularly, in Jyohonira, we challenged Vertical Shoot Positioned trellis system. This attempt put a period to previous common knowledge that grape cultivation in Japan must be done with Japanese traditional over head trellis system, and also suggested a new direction of grape cultivation in Japan.

This pioneering approach, taking advantage of unique Japanese climate, grew year by year to bringing Château Mercian to receive numerous awards in the world's most prestigious wine competitions.


In early 1990s, our passion for making the best environment for Château Mercian expanded more. Cultivation of Chardonnay with VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioned) trellis system and Lyre system in Hokushin district, Nagano Prefecture. At the same time, we carried out spurs pruning and higher vine density planting to make lower yield under over head trellis system, as well as restricting yields amount. Thus our philosophy toward Château Mercian spread over the vineyards.

Winemaking itself also went into a new stage. In 1998 we made an official contract with Mr. Paul PONTALLIER, General Manager of Château Margaux, as a super adviser of Château Mercian. His suggestion enabled us to cross the border between Viticulture and Enology - our vineyard managers also observe cellar management and our winemakers also observe vineyard management. This new ambitious organization has served as another turning point for all the winery staff to head the same direction to make the very best of Japanese fine wine.

We hope you enjoy Château Mercian, in which you can find Finesse and Elegance, that are brought by the spirit of Japanese earth, grapes, and delicateness which we have pursued over 120 years.