HOTEL LA VIGNE HAKUBA by Onko Chishin (hereinafter: La Vigne Hakuba) will hold the first special event to promote the appeal of Japanese wine on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
For the first event, we will welcome Toyoo Tamamura, owner of Villa d’Est Winery Co., Ltd. (located in Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture, hereinafter Villa d’Est Winery), who is active as an essayist and painter and operates a winery in Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture, for a special talk session and pairing dinner limited to 40 guests.
This one-night-only pairing dinner features an exquisite marriage of Shinshu Wine Valley wines carefully selected by Mr. Tamamura and French cuisine based on ingredients nurtured by Shinshu’s terroir, prepared by La Vigne Hakuba’s head chef Hamano.
Additionally, a special accommodation plan that allows guests to enjoy both this event and a stay at La Vigne Hakuba will go on sale from February 10, 2025 (Monday).
Prior to its opening, La Vigne Hakuba held an opening ceremony on December 17, 2024 (Tuesday). The hotel name “La Vigne” means “grapevine” in French, and in keeping with this origin, a special presentation was made using soil from the five wine valleys of Shinshu Wine Valley and wine vine saplings. Furthermore, at this ceremony, Takeshi Konishi, President and CEO of Villa d’Est Winery, gave a greeting as a guest and delivered a lecture explaining the appeal and characteristics of Shinshu Wine Valley.
La Vigne Hakuba, which stocks over 1,000 Japanese wines primarily from Nagano Prefecture, will continue to hold events aimed at promoting and providing experiences of Japanese wine’s appeal. This memorable first event is realized together with La Vigne Hakuba’s wine concierge and Mr. Tamamura, owner of Villa d’Est Winery who served as chairman of the Shinshu Wine Valley Initiative Promotion Council, with whom we have cultivated a long-standing relationship, stemming from our desire to spread the appeal and value of Shinshu Wine Valley wines, just as we used soil from Shinshu Wine Valley during the opening ceremony.
The event on the day is designed to be easily enjoyable for everyone from wine enthusiasts to beginners interested in wine. During the talk event, Mr. Tamamura, owner of the renowned winery, will speak about his passion for winemaking, the background of the “Shinshu Wine Valley Initiative” formulated to promote Nagano Prefecture’s wine industry, and how to enjoy wine. Participants can enjoy a special moment listening to wine stories while savoring aperitifs.
Additionally, for dinner, Mr. Tamamura will select five Japanese wines from each of the five regions of Shinshu Wine Valley, providing a special wine pairing to savor the characteristics and flavors of each. Furthermore, La Vigne Hakuba’s head chef will prepare a special course designed to maximize the individuality of the carefully selected Japanese wines, allowing guests to enjoy the harmony with each wine.
Through this one-night-only gourmet experience limited to 40 guests, held in the naturally rich land of Hakuba, please fully enjoy the exquisite marriage of the profound appeal of Japanese wines and French cuisine.
■about Toyoo Tamamura
Born October 8, 1945, in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, as the youngest child of painter Hokuto Tamamura. After graduating from Tokyo Metropolitan Nishi High School, he graduated from the French Literature Department of the University of Tokyo in 1971. During his studies, he studied at the University of Paris Linguistics Research Institute for two years. After working as an interpreter and translator, he became a writer.
From 1991, he moved to the former Tobu Town (now Tomi City) and managed Villa d’Est, a farm cultivating herbs and Western vegetables. He obtained a fruit wine manufacturing license in 2003 and opened “Villa d’Est Garden Farm and Winery” in 2004. Chairman of Villa d’Est Winery Co., Ltd., and President and CEO of Japan Wine Agricultural Research Institute Co., Ltd.
■about HOTEL LA VIGNE HAKUBA Head Chef Norio Hamano
After gaining experience at city hotels in Osaka and corporate guest houses, he opened his own restaurant independently. Subsequently, through headhunting, he was involved in new openings and rebranding at hotels in Oita, Kagoshima, Tokyo, and Hokkaido, training many chefs, and served as head chef of the French restaurant at “Hakuba Hotel Resort La Neige” in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture for two years. He has won prizes and awards in numerous cooking competitions hosted by France. He is also active as a member of Les Toques Blanches International Club, a renowned organization in the French culinary world, a Disciple member of the Japan Escoffier Association, and a Gold member of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Association. With his extensive experience and exceptional skills, he has established a solid position in the industry.
■Event Overview
- Event Name: Inviting Toyoo Tamamura for a luxurious evening. “Tama-san’s Wine Talk and Nagano Wine Dinner Evening”
- Venue: HOTEL LA VIGNE HAKUBA Restaurant “LA VIGNE DINING FUDO (La Vigne Dining Food)”
- Date: April 19, 2025 (Saturday)
- Time: Doors open 5:20 PM, Wine Talk 5:30 PM (while enjoying aperitifs), Dinner starts 6:00 PM, Expected end around 9:00 PM
- Capacity: Limited to 40 guests (reservation required)
- Content:
Part 1: Talk session by Villa d’Est Winery owner Mr. Tamamura
Part 2: [One-night-only special pairing dinner] Pairing dinner created by
HOTEL LA VIGNE HAKUBA’s head chef to complement Shinshu Wine Valley wines carefully selected by Mr. Tamamura
(includes 5 glasses of wine) - Price: Day trip ¥44,000 per person (tax included)
Reservations by email ([email protected]) or phone (0261-85-5166)
Accommodation ¥78,000 per person (tax included)~ / 1 night with 2 meals (double occupancy)
[Important Notes]
- Transportation service requires advance reservation, so please mention this when making your reservation.
- Please note that we may not be able to accommodate requests once capacity is reached.
- As this event serves alcoholic beverages, please be cautious if you plan to drive to the venue.
■about “LA VIGNE DINING FUDO (La Vigne Dining Food)”
Surrounded by the magnificent nature of the Northern Alps, taste the terroir of Shinshu. We offer over 1,000 carefully selected Japanese wines primarily from Nagano Prefecture, along with French cuisine and teppanyaki using seasonal Shinshu ingredients. Please enjoy this unique gourmet experience where rich terroir and delicate craftsmanship come together.
