宇佐神宮と安心院葡萄酒工房コース（English）

Usa Jingu Shrine and Ajimu Budoushu Koubou (Winery) sightseeing day trip course

3.Usa jingu Nakmise

4.-1 Wine Tasting Shop

This shop was built in the image of rural southern France.  Here you can buy wine made from the most delicious Ajimu grapes, and wine tasting is also offered.At the café next door, you can buy Brandy soft cream and grape juice. On the grounds, there are many deciduous trees where you can take in the vibrant seasonal landscapes and enjoy taking a stroll.

4.-2 Wine Bottling Room

More than  2000 bottles can be filled an hour, and each year over 160000 bottles are filled.Around the filling device, the air pressure is set to be higher than outside by using positive air pressure to maintain an insect-free environment.

4.-3 Winery

The harvested grapes are fermented here.  It takes 1 to 2 weeks for red wine and around 1 month for white wine to ferment.
Preparation starts in August and is at its peak in mid-September.
The wine is brewed in 20,000-liter stainless steel tanks then filtered and put into storehouses to age.  During this process, the wine is periodically tasted and the quality is monitored by the Enologue (licensed wine taster).     

4.-4 Wine Storehouse

Here, the wine is put into barrels and bottles and aged.  The room is maintained at a constant 15 to 20 degrees Celsius to promote the activity of yeast.
The barrels are made from oak wood and the aroma of wine permeates throughout the storehouse.
The aisles display valuable and historical wine glasses.

4.-5 Lookout

When you leave the storehouse and proceed to the back, you will arrive at a lookout where you can see the entire Ajimu Basin.
Why don't you take a rest on the benches while appreciating the spectacular view?

The famous author Shiba Ryotaro called this basin "the best in Japan"!

From Usa Jingu Shrine by car 45min．There are still many sightseeing spots where you can connect with nature and experience culture.