“The 9th Japan Winery Award®︎ 2026” to be Held on Monday, June 8, Honoring Outstanding Winemakers

The Japan Winery Award Association, a general incorporated association promoting Japanese wine in Japan, will hold the "9th Japan Winery Award®︎ 2026" on Monday, June 8, 2026, to recognize outstanding winemakers who produce excellent Japanese wine nationwide.

The association will publish the results on the official website of the "Japan Winery Award®︎" after the awards ceremony and announcement. The results will include the 5-star, 4-star, 3-star, and Connoisseur award-winning wineries, as well as the "Special Judge's Award" and "JAL Award" recipients. In addition, following last year, a commemorative party will be held as the second part, including general enthusiasts.

Outline of the 9th Japan Winery Award®︎ 2026

【Event Name】 9th Japan Winery Award®︎ 2026

【Date】 Monday, June 8, 2026 Part 1: 17:00-17:45 Part 2: 18:15-20:15

【Venue】 Tokyo Kaikan (3-2-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) ・7th floor Royal

【Content】 Part 1: 17:00~ Opening ceremony, greetings from organizers, guest greetings, announcement of award-winning wineries, awards ceremony, photo session Part 2: 18:15~ Toast, talk session, social gathering

*Please note that timings may vary slightly depending on the progress.

*Regarding the Part 2 commemorative party: It will be held with approximately 150 participants, including general enthusiasts. Winemakers from 5-star wineries awarded in Part 1, guests, special judges, sponsors, and cooperative companies will also participate. Announcements for general enthusiasts will be sequentially made on the association's official Facebook page and other social media. Those wishing to participate should apply via Peatix.

<Apply here (Peatix website)> https://jwa2026-party.peatix.com/

【Official Website】 https://www.japan-winery-award.jp/

【Official Facebook Page】 https://www.facebook.com/JAPAN.WINERY.AWARD

【Sponsors】 Global Co., Ltd., Riedel Japan (RSN Japan Co., Ltd.) 【Cooperation】 Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., DMO Tokyo Marunouchi

【2026 Special Judge】 Ms. Yuko Kibayashi (pen name Aki Naoki), original author of the manga "The Drops of God"

<Reference: 8th Japan Winery Award®︎ 2025 / 5-star Award-winning Wineries>

Hokkaido (2 locations) ・Domaine Takahiko ・Yamazaki Winery

Yamanashi Prefecture (9 locations) ・Katsunuma Jozo ・Kisvin Winery ・Suntory Tomi no Oka Winery ・Chateau Mercian ・Diamond Shuzo ・Chuo Budoshu ・Marufuji Budoshu Kogyo ・Mann's Wine

Yamagata Prefecture (3 locations) ・Sakai Winery ・Takahata Winery ・Takeda Winery

Nagano Prefecture (2 locations) ・Obuse Winery ・Kido Winery

Oita Prefecture (1 location) ・Anshin-in Budoshu Kobo

<What is the Japan Winery Award®︎?> Every year, wineries in Japan that produce Japanese wine and meet certain criteria set by the Japan Winery Award Association are evaluated by national and regional judges.

【Judging Method】 Regional and national judges carefully select wineries worthy of evaluation from eligible wineries, and the decision is made through discussion by all national judges.

【Eligibility for Judging】 From last year, facilities that only perform contract brewing are, in principle, excluded from judging. However, this year there are transitional measures as follows:

Wineries that have held a fruit liquor manufacturing license for more than 3 years are, in principle, eligible for judging.

Wineries that were eligible for the award in 2024 but did not have a fruit liquor manufacturing license in the past and only performed contract brewing will be eligible for judging as a transitional measure until 2027.

【Judging Criteria】 Stability of wine for each vintage Stability of wine for each item Cost performance of wine Overall evaluation of wine

*In addition to the above, the following items will also be comprehensively considered as reference indicators:

<Reference Items> Historical significance of the winery Social contribution Acceptance system for visitors Management stability Condition of vineyards Brewing facilities

【Judges】 Judges do not evaluate the quality of individual brands through tasting, but rather seek to evaluate the winery as a whole. Therefore, judges must excel in tasting ability, be knowledgeable about wines from around the world, and in principle, have met any of the following conditions for more than 10 years:

【1】Representative or buyer of a liquor store that widely handles Japanese wine 【2】Representative or buyer of a restaurant that widely handles Japanese wine 【3】Person who has written books or articles related to Japanese wine