Wine: From “Taste” to “Story.” The Launch of *Koujin*

“Wine is more than just its taste.” A new media outlet dedicated to telling the stories of winemakers, terroirs, and business operations has released its launch announcement.

LE RAISIN Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Misa Shimada) has launched “JYOJIN,” an online magazine dedicated to documenting and sharing the “people, land, and stories” behind Japanese winemakers, wine regions, and business operations, and has released its founding statement.

“JYOJIN” is an online media platform aimed at fostering a culture of deeper understanding and enjoyment of wine—not by selecting wines based solely on specifications or ratings, but by learning about the passion and challenges of the people behind them, as well as the unique character of the land.

The editor-in-chief is Misa Shimada, head winemaker at “Winery Passion” in Chichibu and also head winemaker at the urban winery “Tokyo HATAGO Winery.”Through this online magazine, she will share the “true value of wine”—a perspective gained precisely because of her multifaceted involvement in the wine industry, which extends beyond winemaking to include wine bars, wine shops, and wine auction businesses.

Why Does Wine Need a “Story” Right Now?

Interest in Japanese wine is growing year by year.

However, discussions often revolve around “specifications” such as grape variety, price, and awards.

Yet, behind the creation of a single bottle of wine lies the character of the land, a dialogue with the climate, the decisions of the business owner, and the life of the winemaker themselves.

Wine is a “cultural product” born from the accumulation of human intent and time.

“Jōjin” meticulously documents this often-hidden background and offers a new experience: “understanding and selecting wine.”

What “Jōjin” Aims to Achieve

“Jōjin” is not a wine review site.

The focus is not on the wine, but on the “people.”

Why do they make wine in this region?

Why did they arrive at this particular flavor?

What business decisions and life choices have shaped each bottle?

Through the journeys of each individual winemaker, we will document the appeal of Japanese wine for future generations.

Main Series

・THE WINEMAKERS

　In-depth interviews with winemakers, viticulturists, and producers

・BEHIND THE WINE

　Behind the scenes of how a glass of wine is made

・WINE STORIES

　Stories of the People, Lands, and Cultures Behind Wine

・WINE TALES

　Short anecdotes from vineyards, cellars, and travels

・STORIES IN WINE

　Essays and critiques exploring culture and society through wine

About the First Issue

We are currently working on the inaugural issue.

For our first special feature, we plan to spotlight Keita Okauchi, a Winery Passion intern who was selected as one of the top 20 out of 609 contestants nationwide in the Japan Sommelier Association’s blind tasting competition.

Through the story of this young winemaker—who moved from Kagoshima to Chichibu to take on the challenge of winemaking—we will share the “human stories” that this magazine aims to tell.

Moving forward, we will continue to cover a wide range of topics, including female winemakers, winery management, Japanese wine tourism, exchanges with international producers, and the connections between wine and music, art, and food culture.

Editor-in-Chief’s Comment

“Wine is not merely a beverage.

A single bottle of wine is packed with the terroir of the land, the will of the people, and the passage of time.

As a winemaker, I have come to feel that the stories behind the wine are the most valuable aspect to convey.

‘Koujin’ is not a media outlet for evaluating wine.

I hope to nurture it as a platform that documents the lives and challenges of winemakers, as well as the memories of the land, and passes them on to the future of Japanese wine culture.”

―― Editor-in-Chief Misa Shimada

“JYOJIN” Launch Page

https://www.climat.org/jyojin/

Company Overview

LE RAISIN Co., Ltd.

Location: Minato Ward, Tokyo

Business Activities: Winery operation, winemaking, wine bar and wine shop operation, wine auction business, wine media planning and operation

Inquiries Regarding Media Coverage and Publications

LE RAISIN Co., Ltd.

Contact: Misa Shimada

TEL: 050-3152-9757

E-mail: info@winery-passion.com

Contact Form: https://www.le-raisin.jp/contact/

"JYOJIN" is an online magazine that does not focus on evaluating wine, but rather on documenting the people, the land, and the challenges behind each glass.

As a new archive of Japanese wine culture, we will continue to share content under the theme, “As many wines as there are, there are just as many stories.”