Manns Wine Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo) will release "Solaris Komoro Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2025," a wine made from grapes grown on vines more than 35 years old, on Friday, October 23.
Map of Komoro Winery. When visiting, be sure to see the Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes vineyard as well.
A Chardonnay Expressing Komoro's Terroir and the Character of Old Vines
Manns Wine opened Komoro Winery in 1973 and began planting Chardonnay on the winery grounds in 1981. The vines were first planted at 3 m intervals, but additional vines were later planted to bring the spacing to 1.5 m, with the aim of improving quality further. As a result, the Chardonnay now growing in the vineyard was planted in 1981 and 1986.
Manns Wine has practiced organic farming since 2010, and in 2025 the winery's oldest Chardonnay vineyard also received organic JAS certification.
Komoro sits at an elevation of 690 m and enjoys a large temperature difference between day and night, making it well suited to growing wine grapes. To express Komoro's climate and the natural character of the aged Chardonnay vines in the wine, the viticulture and winemaking team works with the grapes every day, aiming to bring out the character of the land.
Vintage Notes: A Hot, Dry 2025
Following 2024, spring 2025 was warm, and the vines budded earlier than usual. Temperature swings, however, caused the timing of budbreak to vary by grape variety.
The year was defined by little rain and high temperatures. Rainfall was below average in every month except May, and August rainfall was less than half the average, at about 50 to 70 mm. Temperatures were also about 2°C above average, making for a very hot and dry season.
It was a difficult year for grape growing, with physiological disorders caused by the intense heat. In this vineyard, which holds organic JAS certification, the team kept up careful vineyard management and judged the condition of the grapes closely as they grew them. The result was concentrated grapes that, despite the hot year, show the character of high-elevation Komoro.
Wine Data
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Wine | Solaris Komoro Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2025 |
| Release date | Friday, October 23 |
| Price | ¥11,000 (tax included) |
| Harvest location | Vineyard within Komoro Winery, Nagano Prefecture (elevation 690 m, gentle south-facing slope, clay loam soil) |
| Cultivation method | Hedgerow training using Manns Rain Cut (マンズレインカット) |
| Harvest date | September 27, 2025 |
| Yield | 38 hl/ha |
| Barrels | French barrels |
| Winemaking leads | 島崎 大 and 西畑 徹平 |
| Alcohol | 13% |
Technical Information
The wine uses Chardonnay harvested from a vineyard of about 30 ares within Komoro Winery. Everything from grape growing to winemaking is managed in line with Japan's organic JAS standard. Strict yield limits are applied in the vineyard to pursue grape quality. After harvest and processing, the wine is fermented and aged in barrels, so that a moderate barrel aroma layers over the natural fruitiness of the grapes, resulting in a concentrated, substantial wine.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Clear and brilliant, a yellow with a golden tinge. A faint beige tone runs from the center to the rim, a subdued color suggesting the concentration and high ripeness that come from old vines.
Aroma: From the moment it is poured into the glass, rich aromas of yellow fruits such as yellow peach, pear and apricot spread. Vanilla, toast and nutty notes from barrel aging then overlay them, adding depth. A grapefruit compote-like aroma serves as an accent, and both the fruit and the barrel elements can be sensed.
Palate: On the palate, the concentration of yellow fruit matches the impression from the aroma, and a dense texture unique to old vines spreads. Creaminess and a faint smokiness from the barrel give the taste roundness and dimension, and the balance with the fruit is very good.
Finish: A pleasant bitterness reminiscent of grapefruit peel remains in the finish, tightening the aftertaste as it continues for a long time.
Pairing: Roast chicken seasoned with herbs is recommended. The fruitiness and faint barrel aroma bring out the savory flavor of the chicken and the aroma of the herbs, and the pleasant bitterness of the finish links with the refreshing quality of lemon to tidy up the aftertaste.
