Students learn from the best
STUDENTS from the Granite Belt Wine School in Japan will visit the Granite Belt to refine their skills this week.
Part of the Caplan Wine Academy, the largest wine educator in Japan, the school was established by winemaker and writer Minoru Numata two years ago.
Mr Numata founded the school after Sirromet Wines’ chief winemaker, Adam Chapman presented his wines along with bottles from Ballandean Estate, Jester Hill and Ridgemill Estate in Japan.
Inspired by Mr Chapman’s presentation and the quality of the Granite Belt wines, a subsequent exchange of technical advice and information provided the basis for the course, with Mr Numata visiting the Granite Belt in February 2018 to finalise the course content.
The course will see five wine industry professionals experience wine making operations including harvest and production experience at Ridgemill Estate, and undertake detailed tasting and vineyard experience at Sirromet, Ballandean Estate and Jester Hill.
A major focus for the group is the tasting and reviewing of Strange Birds, the alternative wine varieties produced in the region.
Ridgemill Estate’s Martin Cooper said the visit was a major opportunity for the Granite Belt.
“As Asia’s second-largest wine market, Japan is very important to us and this visit will certainly put Granite Belt wines on the map in Japan,” he said.
“It is particularly important too, that the visit is being managed by JTB, Japan’s largest travel entity.“