Yoichi Town, Hokkaido and Gevrey-Chambertin Village, sign a friendly urban agreement

A new step towards friendship in Japan and France through wine,
aims to develop tourism, culture and economy based on the wine industry

On February 8th, 2025 (local time in France), Yoichi Town (Mayor: Saito Keisuke) and the village of Gevrey Chambertin (Mayor: Christophe Lukhand) in the Burgundy region of France, will be promoting international exchange through wine culture. , has concluded a friendly urban agreement.

The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in the cultural, tourism and economic fields, focusing on the wine industry, which is a common point between the two regions, and aims to develop mutually The conclusion ceremony was held at the Salon des Van Japoné, an international promotional event for Japanese wine held in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin, and at a symposium hosted by the University of Burgundy.

The background to the agreement – ​​The connection between world-renowned wine production areas

Yoichi Town is rapidly growing as one of Japan's leading wine producers, and high-quality wine grapes is attracting attention. Meanwhile, the village of Gevrey-Chambertin is known worldwide as one of the most prestigious wine producers in the Burgundy region. After about two years of negotiations, the agreement was concluded with the aim of using the commonality of the climate and soil of the two regions to deepen mutual exchanges through wine culture.

Main contents of the Friendly City Agreement

Under this agreement, both local governments will provide mutually beneficial cooperation in the following areas:

✅ Development of the wine industry – Exchange and joint promotions of grape cultivation and brewing technology
✅ Promotion of gastronomy and food culture – Disseminate food culture from both regions and hold collaboration events
✅ Collaboration between the agriculture and food industry – Grape cultivation Sharing and developing agricultural technologies at the heart of the project
✅ Promotion of tourism – Promotion of promotion and tourism that utilizes mutual tourism resources
✅ Cooperation in the academic and innovation field – Joint research on wine research and brewing technology

The conclusion ceremony - pledge of cooperation with an eye on the future of both regions

many people involved, including Mayor Saito Keisuke of Yoichi Town and officials from the village of Gevrey-Chambertin, representatives of the Japanese Embassy in France, the University of Burgundy, and the organization of the Burgundy Wine and Grape Bases (BVV). I attended.

At the ceremony, the two mayors signed the agreement and pledged to promote future exchanges and cooperation. In addition, gave a letter of appreciation to Florian Amber of the Burgundy Wine and Grape Organization, who contributed to the conclusion of the agreement

Stakeholder comments

Comment from Yoichi Mayor Saito Keisuke

"We are very pleased that Yoichi Town and the village of Gevrey Chambertin have signed a friendly urban agreement. Yoichi Town has grown into one of Japan's top wine producers, taking advantage of its cool climate and rich soil. The village of Gevrey-Chambertin is a famous wine region with a long history and high quality in the Burgundy region, and it is very meaningful for Yoichi Town to have connections with such a region.

There have been many negotiations and challenges to realize this agreement. In particular, we have been holding repeated dialogues with wine officials in the Burgundy region and carefully considering what kind of relationships will be the most sustainable and practical. As a result, we are proud to formally sign an agreement today.

　This agreement will be used as an opportunity to promote exchanges in wine production technology and collaboration in the fields of tourism and culture, leading to further development in both regions. We also look ahead to the future of the wine industry in Japan and France, and hope to create new value by learning from each other. ”

Saito Keisuke, mayor of Yoichi

Comments by Christophe Lekunde, Mayor of Gevrey Chambertin

"Today we welcome everyone from Yoichi Town to Gevrey Chambertin and we are pleased to be signed to the Friendly City Agreement at this special place, marking 10 years since our vineyards were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I feel great joy and pride.

　The agreement focuses on building friendly relations between the two municipalities and deepening connections between citizens, as well as promoting partnerships between wine producers and strengthening academic cooperation.

　Gevrey Chambertin is a wine region with a long history, and Yoichi Town is also highly regarded as a rapidly growing wine region. We are confident that the agreement will allow wine producers and researchers from both regions to work together to aim for further development.

 　We sincerely hope that our friendship and passion for wine and viticulture will make the future of both municipalities brilliantly. ”

Mayor of Gevrey Chambertin Christophe Lekunde

Future outlook – Towards sustainable exchange through wine

With the conclusion of this agreement, Yoichi Town and the village of Gevrey-Chambertin aim to promote exchanges in various fields, centered around the wine industry, and build sustainable relationships. In the future, we plan to carry out concrete steps such as holding joint wine events, technical exchange programs, and tourism attraction projects.

Please be sure to keep an eye on the future efforts of both local governments, who have taken a new step in international exchange through wine.

■Press release source - Yoichi Town
https://companydata.tsujigawa.com/company/9000020014087/