The Danou Winery, where stunning scenery and wine both charm – Miyazaki’s “No. 1 in Japan” Chardonnay

▲ Danou Winery is located on a small hill in Danou Town, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the Miyazaki city area from above.

ByPatrick Star

When it comes to Japanese wine-producing regions, many people first think of Yamanashi Prefecture, and currently, the majority of imported wine in Taiwan is also Koshu. Few people know,that the birthplace of Japan’s top Chardonnay actually isn’t Yamanashi, but rather Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu, produced by Danou Winery (都农ワイン).

Danou Winery officially opened to the public in 1996. In terms of the winery’s age, it’s quite young, covering only 5 hectares of land. However, the wines it produces are nothing short of remarkable. Apart from earning various international wine competition awards, its flagship Chardonnay is even a champion among Japanese wines,and has been hailed by locals as the “No. 1” white wine in Japan.

This Chardonnay is made using grapes harvested at their peak ripeness, undergoes fermentation and then matures in oak barrels for 9 to 12 months. Unfortunately, it is not available for tasting.

In addition to white wine, Danou Winery also produces red wine, rosé, sparkling wine, and shochu, among others. Among these, the rosé is especially famous.Today, we tasted the rosé and the sparkling wine.

On the left is the rosé. One of the biggest characteristics of Japanese wine is that it tends to have a slightly sweet overall taste. This one has a faint strawberry aroma, and upon drinking, you get a taste reminiscent of first love—sweet yet with a hint of bitterness, like a playful young girl. On the right is the sparkling wine, which has a unique light pear fragrance. It’s a bit on the “too sweet” side, reminiscent of the candies sold at old-fashioned convenience stores—though sweet and full of artificial color, it’s truly a nostalgic taste of childhood.

We also visited another area of the winery, which is the tasting room. The staff here are very passionate and earnest. Their main goal is to help you discover the subtle differences in each variety of wine they offer.