Nagi wines

Refining Winemaking Through Knowledge and Experience

At the end of August 2024, after spending 11 years in Germany, Nagi returned to Japan. Drawing on the expertise and experience gained in viticulture and winemaking abroad, he established Nagi Wines as an independent viticulture and winemaking consultancy, dedicated to supporting wineries around the world.

The strength of Nagi Wines lies in Nagi’s distinctive background. He studied viticulture and oenology at Geisenheim University, one of the world’s leading institutions in the field, and went on to work at multiple wineries in Germany. As a chief winemaker, he crafted wines that earned high acclaim.

Nagi’s mission is to share the knowledge and experience accumulated in Germany with winemakers globally, serving as a trusted partner in the pursuit of excellence. Through Nagi Wines, he strives to contribute to the advancement of wine culture worldwide.

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Nagi

Independent Viticulture and Winemaking Engineer

Nagi / Masato Nagasawa

Viticulture and Winemaking Engineer | Oenologist

In the fall of 2013, Nagi moved to Germany and began studying viticulture and oenology at Geisenheim University in 2014. During his studies, he gained hands-on experience through internships in Germany, Greece, and New Zealand. After three and a half years—four and a half years including his German language studies and preparatory courses—he earned his degree in viticulture and winemaking.

In July 2018, Nagi joined Weingut Prinz Salm, Germany’s oldest privately owned VDP member winery with over 800 years of history. He was responsible for both viticulture and winemaking, and from the 2020 vintage onward, he served as the winery’s head winemaker. During his tenure, he played a key role in significantly elevating the winery’s ratings in prestigious publications such as Vinum and Gault & Millau.

In 2023, Nagi moved to Weingut Eva Fricke, a renowned winery in the Rheingau, where he continued as head winemaker. A wine he crafted for the 2024 vintage received a perfect 100-point score from a globally recognized critic.

Beyond his work in wineries, Nagi has been actively sharing his expertise in winemaking through blogs and YouTube, providing in-depth insights into viticulture and oenology.

At the end of August 2024, he returned to Japan and began his career as an independent viticulture and winemaking consultant.

Achievements

From Vineyard to Winemaking

Winemaking Achievements

Consistently received high acclaim from numerous magazines and critics. Through enhancing wine quality and achieving higher ratings, contributed significantly to elevating the winery’s reputation.

2020: Appointed Head Winemaker in less than two years after joining the winery.

2022: Selected as a Rising Star Winery in the Nahe region by Vinum magazine.

2023: Earned a 4-bunch rating in Gault & Millau, doubling the winery’s score from 2018 (2 bunches when Nagi first joined).

2024: In the first vintage (2023) after joining a new winery, achieved an extraordinary feat in James Suckling’s ratings:

  • Two wines scored a perfect 100 points
  • One wine received 99 points
  • Three wines received 98 points
  • Every wine from the 2023 vintage received 90+ points.
  • Additionally, in Gault & Millau, two wines received the highest 5-bunch rating.

2024: In Wine Advocate, the world-renowned wine review publication formerly led by Robert Parker, every evaluated wine from the 2023 vintage received 90+ points, with six wines scoring 96+ points.

Consistently received high acclaim from numerous magazines and critics. Through enhancing wine quality and achieving higher ratings, contributed significantly to elevating the winery’s reputation.

Top-Rated Wines

James Suckling – 100 Points

  • 2023 Lorcher Krone Riesling trocken
  • 2023 Lorcher Schlossberg Riesling TBA

James Suckling – 99 Points

  • 2023 Lorcher Krone Riesling Auslese

James Suckling – 98 Points

  • 2023 Lorcher Schlossberg Riesling
  • 2023 Lorchhäuser Seligmacher Riesling
  • 2023 Lorcher Schlossberg Riesling Auslese

Gault & Millau – 5-Bunch Rating

  • 2023 Lorch Riesling
  • 2023 Lorcher Schlossberg Riesling

Wine Advocate – 99 Points

  • 2023 Schlossberg Trockenbeerenauslese

Wine Advocate – 98 Points

  • 2023 Eva Fricke Eltville Collection Trockenbeerenauslese

Wine Advocate – 97 Points

  • 2023 Lorcher Schlossberg Riesling Auslese

Wine Advocate – 96+ Points

  • 2023 Lorcher Krone Riesling Auslese

Wine Advocate – 96 Points

Winemaking Consulting Achievements

  • Participated in a new winery startup project, providing expertise in the installation of equipment and other essential support from a technical perspective.
  • Undertook multiple winemaking consulting projects for wineries and private clients.
  • Engaged in winemaking activities for the 2024 vintage at Sendai Akiu Winery.

Insights

Sharing Deeper Knowledge of Winemaking

▼ Primary Media
* owned media "Nagi's wineworld - 醸造家の視ている世界 -"
* note "醸造家の視ている世界 note版"
* Youtube "Nagiさんと、ワインについてかんがえる。"
* X https://twitter.com/gensyo
* Facebook "Nagi's Wineworld - 醸造家の視ている世界 -"

▼ Supplementary Media
* Youtube "Nagi's wineworld - 醸造家の視ている世界"
* Instagram https://www.instagram.com/masato_nagi/

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