The "Funao Winery," which holds festival events every season.
The summer festival in 2026 will celebrate the 140th anniversary of the cultivation of Muscat of Alexandria with a "Wine and Grape Summer Festival."
We will introduce a day where you can enjoy grapes, wine, and music in the satoyama of the winery during the summer evening.
Overview of the "Wine and Grape Summer Festival"
The "Wine and Grape Summer Festival" will be held on July 26, 2026 (Sunday) from 3 PM to 7 PM.
The Funao Town Agricultural Successor Club, GRAPE SHIP, and Funao Winery have joined forces to plan this event, making it more attractive than ever before.
Please check the flyer image for more details.
Funao Town Agricultural Successor Club and Muscat of Alexandria
I spoke with Yoshinori Asano, a member of the Funao Town Agricultural Successor Club, which co-hosts the event with Funao Winery, about the Funao Town Agricultural Successor Club and Muscat of Alexandria (hereafter referred to as "Aki").
The "Funao Town Agricultural Successor Club" is a group of young agricultural workers in Funao Town.
As of July 2026, there are 16 members. Among them, 5 grow Aki, 5 grow sweet peas, another specialty of Funao Town, and the others are producers of Shine Muscat and other varieties.
It is said that the number of Aki producers, which used to be over 100, has now decreased to a dozen or so. In that sense, the existence of the "Funao Town Agricultural Successor Club" is a reassuring presence for the community.
And 2026 marks the 140th anniversary of the cultivation of Aki in Okayama Prefecture. It is rare for a single variety to continue for 140 years, as many new varieties of citrus, strawberries, and grapes have been developed through breeding, and there are not many examples of the same variety lasting for a long time.
Recently, seedless grapes like Shine Muscat and Pione have become popular, but the aroma, flavor, and acidity that come from having seeds are unique and cannot be found elsewhere. It is said that when hormones are used to make them seedless, the aroma inevitably decreases.
Incidentally, the name Muscat of Alexandria comes from its origin in North Africa, spreading to various places via the Mediterranean port of Alexandria. The rich aroma, which is its greatest charm, is drawn out by having seeds, so it is intentionally cultivated with seeds.
Since cultivation requires high temperatures and dryness, cultivation techniques in glass greenhouses have developed in Okayama Prefecture since the Meiji era. Currently, Okayama Prefecture accounts for about 90% of domestic production.
On the day of the event, freshly picked Aki will also be available for sale, and you might be able to get it at a bargain price. There will also be sales of Aki, juice, and wine sets, and local shipping will be available (box fee and shipping separate, cash only for payment).
Additionally, the strawberry shop ROSSO, which will have a food booth, will sell its signature product "Shaved Strawberry," along with "Shaved Aki," which is made by shaving frozen Aki.
Juices and Wines Born in Funao
On the day of the event, juices and wines produced in Funao will be available for sale.
Funao Town Agricultural Successor Club's 100% Muscat Juice
The Funao Town Agricultural Successor Club also produces 100% Muscat juice from Funao Town. This juice intentionally retains sediment, so when you shake the bottle, the sediment that has settled at the bottom spreads throughout the juice.
When I tasted it, it was very sweet and rich, with a prominent aroma. Priced at 3,300 yen (720ml), it is a bit expensive, but after hearing about the effort that goes into its production and actually tasting it, I found it to be a reasonable price.
GRAPE SHIP's Natural Wine "Aka 2025"
Another co-host of this summer festival, GRAPE SHIP, is a winery run by Mr. Kazunori Matsui. He uses organically grown Aki to produce and sell natural wines (natural wine) and juices at his winery, GRAPE SHIP.
During the interview, I tasted the rosé wine "Aka 2025," which is currently highly recommended. It is said to be made by adding Syrah and Petit Sirah grapes to Aki, and of course, it is a natural wine without any additives.
According to Mr. Matsui, "It has a gentle micro-bubble and a dry mouthfeel, with a balance of sweetness and pleasant bitterness, allowing you to fully enjoy the fruit flavors."
GRAPE SHIP's natural wine, which has fans nationwide, is a popular product that sells out quickly due to its limited production. It may be a stroke of luck if you encounter it at this summer festival.
New Juices and Wines from Funao Winery
Of course, juices and wines from Funao Winery will also be available for sale.
The newly released Muscat of Alexandria juice is the first 100% Aki juice from Funao Winery. The grapes used as raw materials are harvested from their own fields with a sugar content of over 18 degrees, and they use the free-run juice generously.
Using the winery's unique filtration technology, they have created a premium juice with outstanding clarity.
Tetsuya Jogo, the manager of Funao Winery, shared the following:
"From the cultivation of Aki to juice production and label creation, we have created this with a focus on the connections and bonds between people at every stage. Please enjoy the rich flavor that is the essence of the juice, born from the winery's technology and passion."
Another product I would like to introduce is the "Muscat of Alexandria Special Dry Orange 2024," which won a "Gold Medal" at the Asia Wine Awards 2026.
This wine was released to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Aki cultivation, and the Asia Wine Awards is judged by wine experts and merchants from various Asian countries, considering color, aroma, taste, balance, and drinkability, while taking into account the tastes and lifestyles of Asia, as well as the wine's origin and variety.
Message from Funao Winery
I asked Tetsuya Jogo, the manager of Funao Winery, for a message to the readers.
Jogo (no honorifics)
This year marks the 140th anniversary of the cultivation of Muscat of Alexandria in Okayama, which is handled with care by Funao Winery, GRAPE SHIP, and the Funao Town Agricultural Successor Club.
To further raise its profile and make it more familiar, the three parties have joined forces to hold the "Wine and Grape Summer Festival." We have planned more than ever before, hoping that as many people as possible will come and enjoy the rich aroma and elegant sweetness of Aki.
The venue will be filled with attractive shops.
On the day of the event, those who come in yukata or jinbei will receive a complimentary juice or glass of wine at the Funao Winery shop. We invite you to come to Funao Winery with your family and friends.
Conclusion
I have participated in the Funao Winery events many times, but this time I was able to hear from young producers involved in the cultivation of Alexandria Muscat and winemaking in Funao. Their dedication to the labor-intensive cultivation of Alexandria Muscat, while naturally facing the challenges, conveyed their pride and responsibility in the historic cultivation of Alexandria Muscat, and their confidence in its taste and aroma moved me deeply.
When I was a child, Alexandria Muscat was synonymous with luxury grapes in my hometown of Okayama. They were very sweet and delicious, but peeling them and removing the seeds was a bit of a hassle.
In recent years, with the emergence of varieties like Shine Muscat that can be eaten with the skin, the convenience and price have led to a significant decrease in opportunities to enjoy Alexandria Muscat. However, when I eat it again, I realize that its taste is exceptional.
I am very much looking forward to the summer festival this time, as I will be able to encounter the Alexandria Muscat that the producers have lovingly cultivated, as well as its processed products like juice and wine.
140th Anniversary of Alexandria Muscat Cultivation "Wine and Grape Summer Festival" Data
| Name | 140th Anniversary of Alexandria Muscat Cultivation "Wine and Grape Summer Festival" |
|---|---|
| Date | July 26, 2026 (Sunday) 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
| Location | 611-2 Mizue, Funao-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free *Additional costs for food and drink |
| Homepage | Funao Winery |
