Tamba Wine Company, a winery in Kyotamba Town, Kyoto Prefecture, has created a new brand exclusively for the American market, and began exporting three types of wines recently. This is the company's first attempt to market their products in the United States, and they enthusiastically said "we want to make local Tamba wines well-recognized around the world."

The export of Tamba wines was initiated by company president, Mamoru Kuroi, who stated, "We hope to create a stir in the US which is fast becoming the center of the world's wine market." According to the Japan Sommelier Association in Tokyo, "it is rare for a Japanese winery, other than the major manufacturers, to enter the US market."

Three types of white wine made from plums grown in Joyo City and grapes grown in Yamanashi Prefecture are now being exported to the US. The wines are marketed under the brand name "Croix Toriino," which was derived from the president's family name and the company's location in Toyota-toriino, Kyotamba Town. A pair of chopsticks is illustrated on the label as a representative image of Japan.

According to Tamba Wine Company, the exported products are sweet to suit the palate of US consumers, and were well received upon introduction to affiliates of the local wine industry. The company said they had already begun selling the wines to an upscale restaurant serving creative cuisine in Las Vegas, Nevada, and intend to sell them retail in the future. 　

The company plans to export 15 thousand bottles (750ml each) of the wines this year. Kuroi said, "We will advertise our wines as suitable accompaniment to Japanese cuisine, and want to be exporting 100 thousand bottles annually in five years time."