98WINEs Koshu (KOKU / SOU series)

98WINEs · Yamanashi (Koshu Valley)
Alcohol Wine Alcohol Emerging

98WINEs, founded in 2018 in the Koshu Valley by veteran winemaker Yuki (Shigeyuki) Hirayama (formerly of Mercian and Katsunuma Jyozo, trained in Burgundy), produces small-lot Koshu and Muscat Bailey A wines under its SOU, KOKU and NOGI lines. It was named one of the 'World's Best Vineyards 2023' for wine tourism, raising its international profile. The winery represents Japan's premium boutique wine movement and is sought by specialist importers focused on Japanese wine. Its terroir-driven Koshu suits fine-dining export channels.

The supplierKoshu Valley (Yamanashi) boutique winery est. 2018 by Yuki Hirayama; Koshu and Muscat Bailey A; SOU/KOKU/NOGI lines; World's Best Vineyards 2023.
Why it sells abroadStar-winemaker boutique Koshu; World's Best Vineyards recognition; scarce, terroir-driven small lots.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsHalal: not publicly verified. Organic-JAS: not publicly verified. Kosher: not publicly verified. HACCP/FSSC 22000: not publicly verified. (confirmed) 98WINEs (est. 2018, Koshu City, Yamanashi; founder Yuki/Shigeyuki Hirayama) was selected to World's Best Vineyards 2023. (Recognition, not a dietary/food-safety cert.)
Pack formats750ml bottles; small-lot case packs (draft retained)
Shelf lifeVaries by cuvee; KOKU built for aging (draft retained)
StorageCool, dark storage; lay bottles
Minimum orderTypical: allocation/mixed-case via importer
Lead timeTypical: allocation/vintage-driven
CapacityEmerging - small boutique output
Container loadTypical: temperature-controlled mixed container
PricingPremium boutique Japanese-wine tier
OEM / private labelNo.
Wholesale & MOQTypical: specialist Japanese-wine importer wholesale; allocation-limited
Key exporters & distributorsSpecialist Japanese-wine importers (allocation)
Export regulationImporting-country wine import duty, VI-1/labeling; Japanese wine GI considerations
Market demandEmerging high-end sommelier demand; supply-limited
How to source it98WINEs -> specialist Japanese-wine importers -> fine-dining/specialty retail (draft retained; specific importer not verified)
Verified sourceshttps://www.worldsbestvineyards.com/explore/Vineyards/Japan/Koshu-City/98WINEs.html; https://nihonmono.jp/en/article/30794/
Maker98WINEs Co., Ltd.
OriginYamanashi (Koshu Valley)
CategoryAlcohol / Wine
Available inWorldwide
HandlingAlcohol
Price tierPremium
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessEmerging
HS code2204.21
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.