Nagi wines
Professional Expertise in Viticulture and Winemaking
Following 11 years of professional experience in Germany, Nagi returned to Japan in August 2024. Nagi Wines was established to provide specialized consulting services in viticulture and winemaking, leveraging extensive expertise acquired through academic training and hands-on experience at leading German wineries.
Nagi Wines offers a unique value proposition based on rigorous academic foundation and proven industry results. After completing comprehensive studies in viticulture and enology at Hochschule Geisenheim University—internationally recognized as one of the world's premier wine education institutions—Nagi gained practical experience at multiple German wineries, including serving as head winemaker. During this period, wines produced under Nagi's direction have received consistently high acclaim from international critics and publications.
The mission of Nagi Wines is to share this accumulated knowledge and experience with Japanese wine producers, serving as a reliable technical partner to support the production of world-class wines. Through professional consulting services, Nagi Wines aims to contribute to the continued development and international recognition of Japan's wine industry.
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Consulting Philosophy
Technical Excellence Aligned
Consulting Approach
Technical expertise aligned with your vision
Customized Technical Design
Rather than applying standardized methods, we design technical approaches tailored to your terroir, vision, and target wine style. Even with identical grape varieties, each producer should express their distinctive character differently.
Collaborative Partnership
Through dialogue rather than unilateral instruction, we understand your vision and jointly develop technical implementation strategies. Final decisions remain with you; we support their realization.
Sustainable Development
Beyond short-term problem resolution, we prioritize technology transfer and personnel development to enable your independent continuation of high-quality winemaking.
Nagi collaboratively develops technical approaches to realize our vision.
The assurance of world-class technical expertise supporting our desire
to produce wines that reflect our identity is invaluable.
Methodology
Technical support for your distinctive winemaking
Vision Alignment
We begin by thoroughly understanding your vision, target wine style, and brand identity. Rather than working within perceived technical constraints, we develop strategies from your ideal outcome.
Operational Analysis
We objectively analyze your operation's characteristics including terroir, equipment, and human resources, identifying approaches that maximize these distinctive attributes.
Tailored Recommendations
Rather than generic advice, we provide specific improvement strategies tailored to your operation and vision. We present multiple options with clear trade-offs; you make final decisions.
Ongoing Support
Through regular follow-up, we validate results and pursue continuous improvement. Our support evolves in alignment with your development.
Co-Creation Principles
Objective-Driven Design – Process design developed from target outcomes
Options and Trade-offs – Multiple proposals with clear implications to support informed decision-making
Authority and Asset Transfer – Client maintains primary authority; all recipes and documentation transfer completely
Through verifiable proposals and transparent processes rather than unilateral directives, we enable technical realization of your distinctive character.
Service
World-Class Wine Production Through Technical Excellence
Common Technical Challenges in Winemaking
Addressing the technical challenges that many wineries face through proven expertise and practical experience
Quality Consistency
Maintaining stable wine quality year after year proves difficult due to climate variation and technical factors. Standardization of winemaking processes and establishment of quality control systems are essential.
International Recognition
Lacking the framework to design wines that achieve high ratings from international critics and competitions. World-class winemaking techniques and strategic wine design are necessary.
Shortage of Specialized Personnel
Unable to find experienced technical professionals who can be entrusted with winemaking responsibilities. Difficulty securing personnel who understand the complete process from viticulture to winemaking and can assume full responsibility.
New Winery Establishment
Planning to establish a new winery but lacking practical knowledge from equipment selection to winemaking techniques. Need to minimize risk and ensure successful launch.
Viticulture Improvement
Uncertain about cultivation techniques for improving grape quality. Seeking scientifically-grounded guidance on soil management, pruning, pest and disease control, and related practices.
Staff Development and Knowledge Transfer
Wanting to elevate staff technical capabilities but lacking systematic training programs. Need for practical technical instruction and knowledge transfer systems.
Services
Nagi Wines supports quality improvement and recognition achievement while respecting each winery's distinctive character.
Our collaborative approach enhances your unique strengths rather than imposing standardized solutions.
Viticulture / Winemaking Consulting
Collaborative support to stabilize and improve quality while respecting your distinctive character
Our focus is on refining your distinctive qualities, not suppressing them.
Services Provided
- Vineyard and wine style design review and recommendations
- Quality management system improvement
- Operational efficiency enhancement
- Technical knowledge development support
- Problem-solving assistance for viticulture and winemaking challenges
Delivery Format
- On-site visits or online consultation
All inquiries welcome, regardless of scope
Advisory Services
For those who prefer to begin with an accessible consultation relationship
Prior to formal consulting engagement, this format allows you to share daily questions and concerns, establishing a foundation of confidence for moving forward.
Services Provided
- Monthly online consultation (30-60 minutes)
- Email or messaging support for brief questions and confirmations
- Limited-scope review of documents and plans as needed
Ideal For
- Those seeking to initially incorporate external perspective in a limited capacity
- Those wanting options and information while maintaining autonomy over decisions
- Those considering advisory services as preliminary step toward comprehensive consulting engagement
Utilize as an accessible consultation channel
Training / Operational Support
On-site collaboration for staff development and operational support
We support both technical skill acquisition and development of efficient operational systems.
Services Provided
- On-site staff instruction
- Vineyard operation support including tractor work
- Operational execution services
Implementation Format
- Client vineyard (minimum 7 days)
Supporting staff development from initial steps
Contract Winemaking
Comprehensive winemaking support aligned with your style, reliable from first vintage
Rather than complete delegation, we emphasize collaborative production. All recipes and process documentation transfer completely to you as your proprietary assets.
Scope of Services
- Wine style design
- Fermentation and maturation management
- Quality control
- Comprehensive handling from grape reception to finished product
Implementation Location
- Client winery facility (minimum 3 months; framework agreement required)
Reliable support even for first vintage
Additional Services
Flexible support from new winery establishment to knowledge dissemination
Comprehensive support for wine-centered activities.
Services Available
- New winery establishment support
- Equipment procurement guidance
- Article writing and editorial supervision
- Seminar and training delivery
- Technical tasting evaluations (complimentary)
All inquiries welcome
Engagement Process
Proposal
Presentation of customized support plan
Contract & Commencement
Service delivery begins upon mutual agreement
Nagi
Independent Viticulture and Winemaking Engineer
Nagi / Masato Nagasawa
Viticulture and Winemaking Engineer | Oenologist
Nagi moved to Germany in autumn 2013, and from 2014 studied viticulture and enology at Hochschule Geisenheim University in Rheingau. During university studies, Nagi completed internships in Germany, Greece, New Zealand and other countries, obtaining degrees in viticulture and winemaking in 3.5 years (4.5 years including German language examination for university admission and preliminary training).
From July 2018, Nagi joined Weingut Prinz-Salm, Germany's oldest privately-owned VDP member winery with over 800 years of history. Responsible for both viticulture and winemaking, Nagi served as head winemaker from the 2020 vintage onward. During this tenure, Nagi contributed to significantly improving the winery's ratings in prestigious magazines such as Vinum and Gault&Millau.
From 2023, Nagi transferred to Weingut Eva Fricke, a renowned Rheingau winery, serving as head winemaker. The 2023 wines produced received perfect 100-point scores from internationally active critic.
While in Germany, Nagi has actively disseminated specialized knowledge related to winemaking through blogs and YouTube.
Nagi returned permanently to Japan in late August 2024, commencing activities as an independent viticulture and winemaking consultant.
TRACK RECORD
From Grape Growing to Winemaking
Head Winemaker Performance
Served as head winemaker at renowned German wineries, achieving exceptional recognition from international critics
- James Suckling: Two 100-point scores, one 99-point score, three 98-point scores
- Wine Advocate: Six wines scoring 96+ points
- Gault & Millau: Two wines awarded highest 5-grape rating
- All 2023 vintage wines achieved 90+ point scores
- View detailed James Suckling evaluation here
- View detailed Gault & Millau evaluation here
- View detailed Wine Advocate evaluation here
- ※Performance at Weingut Eva Fricke and Weingut Prinz-Salm, Germany
Winery Reputation Enhancement
Contributed to significant improvement in winery ratings and industry recognition during tenure as head winemaker
- Vinum Magazine: Selected as Rising Star Winery of Nahe region
- Gault & Millau: Rating improved from 2 grapes at entry to 4 grapes
- Consistently high ratings across multiple specialized publications
- ※Performance at Weingut Prinz-Salm and Weingut Eva Fricke
Consulting Track Record in Japan
Supporting Japanese producers in achieving international quality standards through technical partnerships
- Akiu Winery / Sendai Akiu Brewery Sauvignon Blanc 2024: Bronze Medal, Japan Wine Competition 2025
- Viticulture and winemaking consulting at multiple wineries
- Technical support for new winery establishment projects
- Equipment selection and procurement support
- Ongoing partnership with winery in Nagano Prefecture
Knowledge Sharing & Educational Activities
Contributing to industry-wide technical advancement through seminars and knowledge dissemination
- Seminar presentations at Academie du Vin Tokyo Aoyama campus
- Editorial supervision for mybest (Wine Cellar Recommendations and Rankings [2025])
- Regular content publication via YouTube, note, and blog
- Ongoing learning support through online community management
Partnership Track Record
※Listed with client permission
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
Deeper Knowledge of Winemaking
▼ Primary Media
* Website "Nagi's wineworld - From Vineyard to Glass – Through the Eyes of a Winemaker-"
* 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。" (jointly operated)
* 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/
▼ ARTICLE SUPERVISION
• Web media mybest "[Complete Comparison: Wine Cellar Recommendations and Popular Rankings 17 Selections [June 2024]"
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