Geo Hills, Komoro, Japan
Geo Hills Winery is located in Mimakigahara, Komoro, Shinshu, Japan — on a small hilly and very windy tableland-like plateau.
The story of Geohills began in 2002, the year when Chardonnay was planted, followed by Merlot in 2008, and Pinot Noir in 2009, as the vineyard area was gradually expanded.
Geo Hills Winery is the creation of Masaki Tomioka, the fifth-generation owner of Nakadanaso, an inn associated with Toson Shimazaki. But Masaki Tomioka wished to go beyond the inn and decided to establish a vineyard and winery. His third son, Hayato, is now in charge of the company’s winery.
The name Gió Hills is a combination of the Vietnamese word Gió (wind) and the English word Hill.
Why?
The decision to use Vietnamese was influenced by the fact that Hayato volunteered in Vietnam for five years and married a Vietnamese girl who has created a Vietnamese cafe/restaurant at Gió Hills.
Today Hayato also produces wine in Vietnam, and hopes to one day become a bridge between the two countries so that Geo Hills Winery’s wines can be enjoyed in Vietnam.
Upon learning of this rather exotic story, I could not resist the temptation.
The cafe/restaurant has a 360-degree glass wall that offers a spectacular panoramic view of Mt. Asama up close, with the Northern Alps and Yatsugatake mountain ranges, and even Mt. Fuji in the distance.
You can purchase a tasting set of a few wines, which I did. Quite frankly, the wines were pleasant, though not excellent.
But for lunch I ordered Pho soup, which was quite simply delicious.
Overall, the visit to Geo Hills was very pleasant. The combination of Japanese wine and Vietnamese cuisine was a delicious surprise. Further, the vineyard is only a very new creation and I am sure that over time the wines will gain maturity.