Ikeda Town begins processing 2026 Tokachi wine vintage

The winemaking process for the 2026 Tokachi wine vintage began on September 9 at the Ikeda Town Grape and Wine Research Institute. The initial batches included 6.5 tons of Morio Muscat, 8 tons of Campbell grapes, and 0.5 tons of Pinot Blanc.

Due to a cooler summer, researchers expect the wine to possess a refreshing and structured acidity characteristic of northern regions. The grapes are being pressed into juice and transferred to tanks for fermentation, with bottling scheduled for mid-November. Specific varieties include ‘Seiolo White’ from the Morio Muscat and a ‘Townspeople’s Rosé’ from the Campbell grapes.

While local grape yields decreased slightly due to frost in May, the total planned processing volume remains at the average of 400 tons. The winemaking operations are expected to continue through late October.