Asia’s Top 10 Wine Importers by Revenue Ranked

No. 1. Suntory

Revenue: US$7.25 billion including spirits, wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages

Country: Japan

Suntory, a leading Japanese drinks company, operates its wine importing business through its subsidiary, Fwines Co., Ltd., which was established in 2003. Fwines took over Suntory’s wine-importing operations in 2006 and has since become a key player in bringing high-quality wines to Japan.

Fwines imports a prestigious portfolio of brands, such as Chateau Lagrange, Mazzei, Cerreto, Bonterra, Chateau Ste. Michelle, William Fevre, Bouchard Pere et Fils, and Catena Zapata. To support its operations, it has a state-of-the-art distribution center in Yokohama, which maintains optimal storage conditions for wines. This facility enables efficient distribution across Japan, covering regions including Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Aichi.

Under President Yukiko Kikkawa, Fwines employs 75 staff and generated revenue of 10.6 billion yen (US$74.3 million) in 2023. Suntory also runs a wine retail chain called Cave de Relax, with five stores in Tokyo.

In addition to importing, Suntory produces its own wines under the brands Tomi no Oka and Iwanohara Vineyard Co., Ltd. It also owns Vinos Yamazaki Co., Ltd. for wine and sake retail and wholesale, and Monte Bussan K.K. for importing Italian wines and food.

Internationally, Suntory owns two Bordeaux grand cru classé wineries, Château Lagrange and Château Beychevelle, as well as properties in Germany and a négociant firm in France. In China, it manages wine and spirits importing through ASC Fine Wines.

In 2023, Suntory reported a total revenue of 2,952.1 billion yen (US$20.47 billion), with the alcoholic beverage segment contributing 35% (1,045.7 billion yen or US$ 7.25 billion) of that total. However, the company did not disclose the contribution made from wine alone.