Wine Lovers in Japan Soon to Have First-Ever Taste of Virginia Wines

January 26, 2002
Contact: Pamela Jewell (804) 786-0481
pjewell@vdacs.state.va.us

RICHMOND, VA -- Virginia wines will soon be available to a Japanese population that is unfamiliar with wines from Virginia but increasingly enamored with wines in general. Waka Ikeda, a jewelry designer from McLean, conceived of the idea and worked with Norio Sakai, an architect who is also from McLean, to make it happen. They appealed to the management of Shiseido, Japan's largest cosmetics company, and its subsidiary, Shiseido Parlor, an upscale Japanese restaurant chain. Shiseido is the only importer of Virginia wines to Japan at this time.

"We believe this promotion will be successful because the Japanese prefer French, German and Italian wines to California wines," says Ms. Ikeda. "Virginia wines have many of the characteristics of the European wines." Mr. Sakai says, "Virginia wines are often served at the White House during State functions. That also makes them appealing to the Japanese."

Shiseido Parlour's sommelier chose to serve two Virginia wines, a 2000 Riesling from Barboursville Vineyards and a 1999 Viognier from Horton Cellars Winery. "The Viognier is our signature wine," says owner Dennis Horton. "I also think the national attention the 1999 vintage received was a factor in its selection."

The wines are being marketed in a special bottle with a size, shape and label designed to make the wines appealing for gift giving. The specially designed bottles are triangular, cobalt blue and smaller than the norm, 500ml versus 750ml.

The initial order for each of the two wines will be 1,000 cases. Ms. Ikeda says plans are in place to introduce new and different Virginia wines to Japan in the future. "The Japanese like sweet wines, so one thing we'd like to do is export some late harvest and ice wines," she says. "We are very excited! This is the first chance many Japanese people will have to taste Virginia wines. We believe they will be very impressed."

Virginia is ranked 5th among vinifera wine growing states. It is home to 71 wineries and more than 250 vineyards, and had retail sales of nearly $40 million in 2000. To find out more about Virginia's wineries visit www.virginiawines.org. To receive a free copy of the Virginia Wineries Festival and Tour Guide, contact the Virginia Wine Marketing Office at (800) 823-4637. Copies may also be obtained by writing VDACS, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA. 23218, Attn: Winery Tour Guide.