Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Yatsugatake, a resort hotel set amid the sweeping natural scenery of the Yatsugatake area in Yamanashi Prefecture, hosted a one-night maker's dinner over two days from March 8, 2026. The event brought together 18 wine and food enthusiasts to experience rare bottles from Kisvin Winery (Koshu City, Yamanashi) alongside an exclusive course prepared by the hotel's main dining room, OTTO SETTE. Kisvin Winery's head winemaker Mayu Saito and winemaker Rei Kawakami attended as special guests, guiding diners through the wines they had crafted.
RISONARE Yatsugatake's Vision as a "Wine Resort"
Hokuto City in Yamanashi Prefecture became the first area in Japan to be designated a "Wine Special Zone" in 2008 — a system established in 2002 that allows producers to obtain a license at one-third the normally required minimum production volume of 6,000 liters. Taking advantage of its location in one of Japan's leading wine-growing regions, RISONARE Yatsugatake has developed a range of wine-centered experiences, from tasting menus and intellectual programming to activities and accommodation plans that put wine culture at the heart of a guest's stay.
Event Highlights
Visiting Kisvin Winery's Vineyard and Winery
Participants visited the Kisvin Winery vineyard and winery in Enzan, Koshu City, Yamanashi. Head winemaker Mayu Saito led a tour of the open vineyard, which overlooks Shio-no-yama and Mount Fuji, and then showed guests through the winery itself — a space not normally open to the public. In the winery, guests were able to compare the wine at different stages of bâtonnage (the process of stirring the wine with its lees in the aging barrel) and observe the bottle-labeling process, gaining a deep understanding of how Kisvin wines are made.
Aperitivo on a Restaurant Bus, a First for Yamanashi Prefecture
After the vineyard and winery visit, the group gathered at "Ushiokomi Miharashi-no-oka" — a hilltop viewpoint overlooking the town of Enzan — for an aperitivo aboard a restaurant bus. This segment marked the first run of WILLER ACROSS Co., Ltd.'s restaurant bus in Yamanashi Prefecture, made possible through cooperation with Yamanashi Kotsu Co., Ltd. Paired with the "Kisvin Blanc 2024" as the aperitif wine, guests enjoyed six dishes including shrimp fritters, a torta of abalone simmered dish with cucumber, and a sfornato of rapeseed blossoms — all beneath the open sky and amid the natural scenery of Enzan.
Vehicle provided by: WILLER ACROSS Co., Ltd. / Cooperation: Yamanashi Kotsu Co., Ltd.
An Exclusive Eight-Course Dinner at OTTO SETTE
Back at the hotel, OTTO SETTE offered a specially conceived course designed to bring out the best in Kisvin Winery's lineup. For example, the "Kisvin Koshu Reserve 2022" — notable for its firm structure and pleasant bitterness — was paired with a "wild vegetable torta" richly seasoned with cheese and cream, whose herbal bitterness echoed the wine's character. The oak influence in the wine and the toasted quality of the torta pastry complemented each other, enhancing both flavors simultaneously.
Guided by commentary from Mayu Saito and RISONARE Yatsugatake sommelier Fumihiko Kamo, guests savored eight dishes built around the following nine wines:
- Kisvin Blanc 2024
- Kisvin Koshu Sparkling 2024
- Kisvin Rubis 2021
- Kisvin Koshu Reserve 2022
- Kisvin Chardonnay 2022
- Kisvin Chardonnay Reserve 2022
- Kisvin Pinot Noir Rose 2024
- Kisvin Syrah Viognier 2021
- Kisvin Pinot Noir 2019
A Surprise Announcement: New Head Winemaker at Kisvin Winery
Mid-dinner, guests were treated to a surprise pour of the rare "Kisvin Zinfandel Rose 2020." At that moment, it was announced — for the first time at this event — that Rei Kawakami would be succeeding Mayu Saito as the winery's head winemaker. Guests raised their glasses of a wine that Kawakami had personally crafted, listening as the young winemaker shared his commitment to carrying Kisvin Winery's vision forward. The room filled with warm applause.
Kisvin Winery Wines Available at Yatsugatake Wine House (Limited Period)
The "Yatsugatake Wine House" inside RISONARE Yatsugatake will feature a special lineup of Kisvin Winery wines from April 1 to May 6, 2026. During this period, guests can taste several varieties — including some rare labels — in 25 ml pours, and bottles are also available for purchase. The venue is open to day visitors as well.
- Period: April 1 to May 6, 2026
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Last order 9:30 PM)
- Available while stocks last
About Kisvin Winery
Kisvin Winery was founded in 2013 in Enzan, Koshu City, Yamanashi. The name reflects a philosophy of treating every grape cluster with care and devotion, aiming to produce wines of the highest quality. From its earliest years, the winery pursued a rigorous blend of scientific methodology and artisan sensibility. Within just a few years of its founding, Kisvin wines began appearing on the tables of Michelin-starred restaurants and in international first-class airline cabins.
Mayu Saito — Head Winemaker (outgoing)
Born in 1980, Saito left Waseda University to pursue her dream of producing world-class Japanese wine. She studied enology at California State University, Fresno, then moved to Burgundy, France, where she gained experience at prestigious domaines including Domaine Jean Collet in Chablis. She returned to Japan in 2013 as the founding head winemaker of Kisvin Winery. Beyond her work at the winery, she has served as a mentor to younger winemakers in the region, working to revitalize local agriculture through the reclamation of abandoned farmland and the training of the next generation.
Rei Kawakami — New Head Winemaker
Born in 1997 in Misakacho, Fuefuki City, Yamanashi, Kawakami graduated from Yamanashi University with a degree in Wine Science. He joined Kisvin Winery in 2018 and, under the guidance of cultivation manager Yasuhiro Ogihara and head winemaker Mayu Saito, absorbed Kisvin's founding philosophy while developing his skills with determination and a keen observational eye. Still in his twenties, he has already been entrusted with responsibility for multiple labels at the winery.
About Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Yatsugatake
RISONARE Yatsugatake is a resort hotel located amid the expansive nature of the Yatsugatake highlands. Conceived as a "mountain vacation town," the property features accommodation designed for leisurely stays, outdoor activities set against the grand landscape, and dining that showcases local wines and produce.
- Location: 129-1 Obuchisawa-machi, Hokuto City, Yamanashi 408-0044
- Rooms: 172 rooms / Check-in: 3:00 PM / Check-out: 12:00 PM
- From: ¥25,000 per person (based on 2 guests sharing, taxes and service charges included)
- Access: Approximately 5 minutes by car from JR Kobuchizawa Station (complimentary shuttle bus available)
