From Monday, May 18 through Sunday, May 24, 2026, JAPAN WINE DISCOVERY TOUR 2026—the first international event of its kind in Japan for the international wine brotherhood community—was held across Tokyo, Yamanashi, and Nagano.
Eighty-two wine knights from seven countries, including France and the United States, came to explore Japanese wine and visited wineries in Yamanashi and Nagano.
On May 20, an investiture ceremony was also held at the Asakusa View Hotel, bringing guests together with winery representatives and recognizing members as ambassadors for Japanese wine.
This year, 30 people from among members around the world were appointed in the “Enthronement of the 2026 Masters of Japanese Wine.”
The tables for the formal ceremony were fittingly adorned with Manns Wines’ Solaris range.
Around 80 people attended the investiture ceremony, traveling from the United States and European countries including Estonia, Slovenia, Hungary, and Italy. The broader international federation of wine brotherhoods has tens of thousands of members worldwide.
The investiture tables featured some of Manns Wines’ proudest labels, including the Solaris series.
Kobo no Awa Koshu Brut
SOLARIS Le Ciel2024
Chikumagawa Ryugan2024
SOLARIS Chikumagawa Merlot 2022
SOLARIS Juventa 2023
Each wine was enjoyed alongside a course of classical French cuisine.
One guest, who makes wine in Oregon, commented, “I didn’t expect to find a red wine with this much concentration in Japan,” and, “It is wonderful to taste varieties unique to Japan. The wine is so refreshing.”
Another guest said, “I’m planning to visit this winery on the final day, so I’d like to buy some to take home.”
The Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine of Japan is led by President Kinoshita, who said, “We have been active for more than 40 years, but the improvement in the quality of Japanese wine over roughly the last decade has been remarkable. We want people to drink more and more Japanese wine, so we now organize winery tours and wine gatherings frequently.”
“This event was decided on around March last year. About two years ago, we also held a Japanese wine event in Portugal, and it was extremely well received,” he added, saying that he can feel the growing appreciation of Japanese wine among enthusiasts around the world.
A toast with Kobo no Awa
The first performance to grace the investiture stage was Noh, one of Japan’s traditional performing arts. It was performed by Noh actor Masashi Nomura.
Masashi Nomura — Noh actor (Kanze school, shite performer)
Nomura is active at the forefront of Noh, one of Japan’s most important traditional performing arts.
Roles and standing: shite performer of the Kanze school; director of the Kanze-kai Association; holder of a collective designation as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan.
Family: eldest son of the late Shiro Nomura (Gensetsu Nomura). He comes from a distinguished performing family: his grandfather was the sixth Manzo Nomura, his uncle is Mansaku Nomura II, and his cousin is Mansai Nomura.
To the National Japanese Wine Tasting Tour 2026 in TOKYO
After the investiture luncheon, the group headed to Waterras, where the National Japanese Wine Tasting Tour 2026 in TOKYO was being held.
Sixty-one wineries from across Japan were gathered there, offering visitors the chance to speak directly with producers. Overseas wine producers in particular appeared to enjoy actively exchanging ideas with the Japanese participants.
Some guests hesitated in front of the sheer selection—“There are so many, I don’t know what to taste”—while others said, “The wines at lunch were so good that I want to try something from Nagano.” Everyone seemed to enjoy the event at their own pace.
Including the investiture ceremony, JAPAN WINE DISCOVERY TOUR 2026 visited wineries in Yamanashi, Tokyo, and Nagano.
These regions are increasingly attracting the attention of wine lovers and wine professionals from around the world.