2010 will mark the 120th anniversary of Marufuji Winery’s founding. For more than a century Koshu has been the most important of its wines. In 1989 it began experimenting with vertical shoot positioning instead of the more common pergola system for European grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Its vineyards are located on the slopes of a fan-shaped valley. The winery is located on a slope in Katsunuma, making possible the use of a gravity-flow winemaking system. Stone tanks are used for fermentation of red wine. The wine name “Rubaiyat” is taken from the ancient Persian poem. First produced in 1988, Rubaiyat Koshu Sur Lie is popular favorite at Japanese restaurants.