Although the cultivation of grapevines on sand is very recent, the cultivation of grapes in Japan goes back a long way. The legend says that in the year 718, a monk from Kofu (now Yamanashi prefecture) was offered some grapevines by the Medicine Buddha (Yakkusi Nyorai) who then taught him the use of their fruits for healing. Thereafter, Buddhist missionaries spread the vine throughout the country. The grape was consumed in the form of wine only after the arrival of the first Western missionaries who had brought the precious liquid in the holds of their ships.
From the 1970s onwards, wine consumption exploded in Japan in connection with the economic boom, which led to a sharp increase in local wine production. However, even today, the majority of vines are still cultivated for the production of table grapes.
Tottori prefecture has several wine growers, but the lack of regulation means that the grapes used for wine production were not necessarily grown locally. Several people including Kenji IMAMURA worked for the creation of a Japanese-style PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), which they will obtain in 2018.
A 12 km area, bordering the Sea of Japan, extending from Otani City to the mouth of the Tenjin River named \"\u5317\u6761\u7802\u4e18\" \"Hojo Sakyu\" \"Hojo Sand Dunes\" is designated as the only place for the production of Tottori Sand Wine (a first in Japan).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nGeographical location:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe Hojo Dunes are 12 km long on the shore of the Sea of Japan. They are located in the center of Tottori Prefecture at the foot of the highest mountain in western Japan. This sacred mountain, Mount Daisen which culminates at 1710m, is part of a mountain chain participating in the local microclimate. The water flowing from these mountains to the sea is exceptionally pure thanks to the preserved beech forests which have been the sacred territories of the ascetic monks of the region for many centuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The soil:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nHojo Sand Dunes are gently sloping coastal dunes that extend along the Sea of Japan for 12 km from east to west and 1.8 km from north to south, or 1,100 ha, from the mouth of the Tenjin River to Odani Village. At the end of the Pleistocene, the weathered granite of the Chugoku Mountains turned into sand. This sand then flowed into the Tenjin River and then was deposited on the shoreline, moved here and there by the wind to form the first dunes. Later, this sand was covered with pumice (Daisen Kurayoshi Pumice DKP) from the eruption of Mount Daisen about 50,000 years ago. In addition, volcanic ash from the Aira caldera in southern Kyushu was deposited in the area about 25,000 years ago. Subsequently, the dunes that we know today were re-formed on the volcanic ash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/vinsdessables.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/terroir3.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe climat:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe climate is warm and temperate. The rainfall in Tottori is important. Even in the driest months, showers still persist. This location is classified as Cfa (humid subtropical) according to the K\u00f6ppen and Geiger climate map. On average, the temperature in Tottori is 15.1 \u00b0C. Each year, the average rainfall is 1851 mm <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lowest average rainfall is recorded in April with only 115 mm. The highest rainfall is recorded in September. It averages 235 mm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In August, the average temperature is 26.5 \u00b0C. August is therefore the hottest month of the year. The coldest month of the year is January with an average temperature of 4.7 \u00b0C. In winter, the proximity of the Sea of Japan moderates the climate, negative temperatures are rare; spring frosts are also rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Precipitation varies from 120 mm between the driest and wettest months. A difference of 21.8 \u00b0C exists between the lowest and highest temperatures throughout the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hygrometry (water vapour content of the air) is high throughout the year, the air saturation deficit is therefore low, in midsummer the stumps do not suffer and continue to photosynthesize chlorophyll, thus ensuring the ripening of the grapes and the growth of the shoots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hojo Sand Dunes are gently sloping coastal dunes that extend along the Sea of Japan for 12 km from east to west and 1.8 km from north to south, or 1,100 ha, from the mouth of the Tenjin River to Odani Village. At the end of the Pleistocene, the weathered granite of the Chugoku Mountains turned into sand. This sand then flowed into the Tenjin River and then was deposited on the shoreline, moved here and there by the wind to form the first dunes. Later, this sand was covered with pumice (Daisen Kurayoshi Pumice DKP) from the eruption of Mount Daisen about 50,000 years ago. In addition, volcanic ash from the Aira caldera in southern Kyushu was deposited in the area about 25,000 years ago. Subsequently, the dunes that we know today were re-formed on the volcanic ash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/vinsdessables.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/6217_1009374.jpeg\")
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