Château Mercian is one of Japan’s pioneering and most respected wineries, with roots dating back to 1877 in Katsunuma, Yamanashi, the historic heartland of Japanese wine. The estate has played a leading role in establishing Koshu as a distinctive, internationally recognised grape variety. Its vineyards benefit from Yamanashi’s sunny days, cool nights and well-drained soils, producing naturally fresh and elegant wines. Château Mercian has also pioneered techniques such as sur lie ageing, introduced to Koshu in the 1980s, adding texture and savoury depth while retaining the variety’s delicate citrus character. Today, the winery combines traditional Japanese viticulture with modern winemaking to express the unique character of its terroir.