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Page 1: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

Copyrighted material, April 2016

THEESSENTIAL GUIDE TO

Page 2: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

Takasago(Hokkaido)

Ama no To(Akita)

Kanbara(Niigata)

Tentaka (Tochigi)

Takatenjin (Shizuoka)

Tozai (Kyoto)

Fukucho(Hiroshima)

Kawatsuru(Kagawa)

Chiyonosono(Kumamoto)

Rihaku (Shimane)

Taka(Yamaguchi)

Mantensei (Tottori)

Konteki (Kyoto)

TOKYO

Tensei(Kanagawa)

Yuho (Ishikawa)

Yamada Shoten (Gifu)

CHCHHINNNAAA

Mt.FujiElev 12,388

SAKE BREWERIES & PREFECTURES

NONONORTRTRR HHRTHKOKOKOKOKOKOORER AAAAAAKOR

Bushido (Kyoto)

Hokkkkkkkaiaiaiaaidododdd

HoHonsnsnnshuhu

ShShShShShikikikikikokokokokkuuuuk

KyKyKyyyususuusuushuhhuu

PACIFIC OCEAN

SEA OF JAPAN

JAPAN

Page 3: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

TOTAL ~ 100 USED IN VINE CONNECTIONS SAKE = 15SAKE RICE VARIETIES IN JAPAN

2.6%3.2%6.2%

14.2%

73.8%

low

qua

lity

A

LL S

AK

E M

AD

E

high

qua

lity

DAIGINJO

GINJO

HONJOZO

AT LEAST 50%(50% or moremilled away)

AT LEAST 60%(40% or moremilled away)

AT LEAST 70%(30% or moremilled away)

RICEMILLED

TO:

Increasing quality, price, fragrance, complexity

700 A.D.YEAR SAKE IS BELIEVEDTO HAVE ORIGINATEDIN JAPAN

1,000NUMBER OF SAKEBREWERIES INJAPAN TODAY

55%OF JAPAN’S FARMLAND

IS RICE PADDIES

15%-17%AVERAGE ALCOHOLBY VOLUME IN SAKE

LESS THAN 6%OF ALL JAPANESE SAKE IS

CONSIDERED SUPER PREMIUM

31NUMBER OF PREMIUM

SAKE IMPORTED BYVINE CONNECTIONS

JUN

MA

I G

INJO

& J

UN

MA

I D

AIG

INJO

NO

N P

REM

IUM

SA

KE

GIN

JO &

DA

IGIN

JO

JUN

MA

I &

TO

KU

BET

SU J

UN

MA

I

HO

NJO

ZO

SAKE RICE VS. TABLE RICE

JUNMAI

DAIGINJO

JUNMAIGINJO

Table sake often uses automated brewing processes and high amounts of distilled

alcohol.

SAKE GRADE LEVELS

NON JUNMAIBrewed using Rice,Water, Koji Mold,& Distilled Alcohol

JUNMAIBrewed using Rice,

Water, & Koji Mold only(NO Distilled Alcohol)

HEIGHT:sake rice is atleast 25% taller than table rice

WIDTH:a grain of sakerice is 20% largerthan table rice

WEIGHT:sake rice isheavier (weighs25-30 grams)

CONTENT:sake rice has morestarch, less fat, &less protein

LOW

GRA

DE

PREM

IUM

SUPER

PREM

IUM

FUTSU “TABLE SAKE” FUTSU “TABLE SAKE”

NO MINIMUM NO MINIMUM REQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTS

Futsu represents about 75% of the entire sake market.

JUNMAI

Page 4: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

VINE CONNECTIONS SAKE PORTFOLIO

A comprehensive portfolio offering everything from the highest quality everyday sake to the ultimate drinking experience.

We have selected top breweries from 13 different Japanese prefectures spanning the entire country, from Hokkaido to Kyushu.

Vine Connections is the leading U.S. authority on Japanese sake and is known for its consistency of quality, supply, and price stability. Our approachable sake education, innovative marketing and packaging, and sales materials truly set us apart from our competitors.

ABOUT VINE CONNECTIONSVine Connections leads the charge for representing sake and wines that change minds – unearthing high quality sake and wines, regions, and people who inspire you to become part of the VC movement.

Vine Connections is one of the leading authorities and educators in the U.S. for Japanese ginjo sake, along with premium wine from Argentina, Chile, and California.

Based in Sausalito, California, Ed Lehrman and Nick Ramkowsky pioneered the first nationally-imported portfolio of artisan wines from Argentina in 1999, and then introduced Japanese ginjo sake from 11 brewers in 2001. These small, traditional family brewers produce the world's most delicious premium sake. In 2013, Vine Connections’ “The New Chile Portfolio” revolutionized the category with boutique wines from Chile’s diverse appellations. VC also represents a set of unique and innovative California wines.

Vine Connections champions regions and people that deserve to be known.

- UNCORK THE UNEXPECTED -

Page 5: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

SAKE SENSEI

JOHN GAUNTNER is recognized as the world’s leading non-Japanese sake author-ity and expert. John was instrumental in compiling the Vine Connections sake portfolio. A long-time resident of Japan, he has written several books and articles about sake and is often regarded by the industry as the person who made sake popular outside of Japan.

John is the only non-Japanese certified Master of Sake Tasting in the world and has also achieved the very difficult Sake Expert Assessor certification from Japan’s National Research Institute of Brewing. No other non-Japanese in the world has both of these certifications.

He is the founder of the not-for-profit Sake Education Council and has educated over one thou-sand sake professionals worldwide through his Sake Professional Course.

NICK RAMKOWSKY, the co-founder and owner of Vine Connections, has an extraordinary enthusiasm for championing unknown regions.

Nick started working as a wine buyer at North Berkeley Wine, a well-known wine shop in the Bay Area, while attending UC Berkeley. Upon graduation, Nick moved to France for a year to explore its wine country, and later began working in wholesale distribution when he returned to the US. He started Vine Connections with Ed in 1999 after a trip to Argentina where they had a vision of the great future of that wine country. Soon after, the company seized the opportunity to import sake and became leading experts in the premium ginjo category.

Nick is a visionary who leads VC’s portfolio development, sake and wine quality, supplier relations, and sales strategy.

ED LEHRMAN is the co-founder and owner of Vine Connections, and he pairs a passion for sake and wine with a keen business acumen.

Ed’s wine career started at the New York premier wine shop, Sherry-Lehmann, after he graduated from Duke University. He soon made it to California to get his MBA at UCLA before moving to SF to work at Kendall-Jackson and later Seagram Classics. He started his first business, Passport Wine Club, in 1994 and Nick became one of his main wholesale suppliers. Ed’s sake epiphany came in 2001 at a dinner in SF where he tasted his first group of incredible ginjo sake with several Japanese brewers.

Based in the Sausalito office, Ed is involved in the day-to-day management of Vine Connections. He leads long-term strategy development and oversees all departments.

MONICA SAMUELS is one of the country’s most accomplished sake professionals and leads the Vine Connections team through education, marketing, and sales to drive retail, restaurant, and consumer demand.

With over 9 years of experience, Monica brings a unique perspective to the industry. She was the Sake Ambassador at Southern Wine & Spirits in New York as well as the Corporate Sake Somme-lier at the Sushi Samba restaurant group. She has a unique understanding of pairing sake with food, particularly outside of traditional Japanese settings.

Monica holds several professional sake honors, including an esteemed judging role for the annual US National Sake Appraisal. She was recently named a “Top 40 under 40 – America’s Most Influ-ential Tastemakers” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Additionally, Monica is a Level 3 Certified Instructor for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and has lectured on sake for the Culi-nary Institute of America’s academic program.

Page 6: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

stea

med

rice

raw

sake

60

% R

EM

AIN

AV

G ~

48

HR

S

2-3

DA

YS

2 W

EE

KS

4 D

AY

S30

-40

DA

YS

STE

PS

OF

SA

KE

PR

OD

UC

TIO

N

PR

ES

SIN

GM

AIN

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ME

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N M

AS

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HR

EE

ST

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ION

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EA

ST

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RT

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RO

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UT

ION

*B

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UR

IZA

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SH

ING

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AK

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MIN

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ICE

HA

RV

ES

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BA

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~1

HR

6 M

OS

- 1

YE

AR

1-2

MO

SC

OO

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G

* =

step

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re o

ptio

na

2014

MO

NIC

A S

AM

UE

LS A

ND

JU

LIE

QIU

Page 7: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

STE

PS

OF

SA

KE

PR

OD

UC

TIO

N

PR

ES

SIN

GM

AIN

FER

ME

NTA

TIO

N M

AS

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HR

EE

ST

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ION

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JI P

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SH

ING

WA

SH

ING

SO

AK

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ST

EA

MIN

GR

ICE

HA

RV

ES

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G

stea

med

rice

raw

sake

AV

G ~

48

HR

SE

AC

H B

ATC

H ~

1 H

R

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DA

YS

6 M

OS

- 1

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AR

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AY

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na

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MO

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LS A

ND

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Sake

rice

is h

arve

sted

in th

e fa

ll. M

ost s

ake

brew

ers

do n

ot o

wn

thei

r ow

n ric

e fie

lds,

and

man

y do

not

eve

n us

e ric

e fr

om

the

pref

ectu

re w

here

thei

r bre

win

g fa

cilit

yis

loca

ted.

Sake

rice

is p

olis

hed

in a

ve

rtic

al m

ill th

at s

low

ly

shav

es o

ff th

e ou

ter

laye

rs o

f ric

e.

A fin

e w

hite

pow

der

resi

due

is le

ft o

n th

e ric

e af

ter p

olis

hing

; thi

s is

w

ashe

d of

f and

the

rice

is s

oake

d.

Durin

g th

is s

oaki

ng

proc

ess

the

wat

er

abso

rptio

n ra

te o

f the

ric

e is

det

erm

ined

so

that

eve

n st

eam

ing

can

occu

r lat

er.

Each

bat

ch o

f ric

e ta

kes

abou

t an

hour

and

is

cook

ed b

y st

eam

risi

ng

from

und

erne

ath

the

rice

stea

mer

. Th

e ta

rget

te

mpe

ratu

re o

f the

rice

is

100

degr

ees

Cels

ius.

The

rem

oval

of

rice

and

yeas

t sol

ids

(sak

e ka

su) f

rom

the

liqui

d.

The

mos

t com

mon

met

hod

is th

roug

h an

ass

aku-

ki,

whi

ch is

an

acco

rdio

n-sh

aped

mac

hine

that

sq

ueez

es th

e sa

ke m

ash

thro

ugh

a fin

e m

esh.

The

ferm

enta

tion

proc

ess

take

s be

twee

n 30

-40

days

for p

rem

ium

sa

ke.

Durin

g th

is p

erio

d sa

ccha

rific

atio

n an

d fe

rmen

tatio

n ha

ppen

s si

mul

tane

ousl

y in

wha

t is

refe

rred

to a

s m

ultip

le

para

llel f

erm

enta

tion.

Over

the

cour

se o

f fou

r da

ys, g

radu

ally

in

crea

sing

am

ount

s of

w

ater

, koj

i ric

e, a

nd

stea

med

sak

e ric

e ar

e ad

ded

to th

e ta

nk.

In a

sm

all t

ank

(aro

und

1/10

the

size

of t

he e

ntire

fe

rmen

tatio

n), s

team

ed

sake

rice

and

koj

i ric

e is

co

mbi

ned

with

wat

er a

nd

culti

vate

d sa

ke y

east

.

15-2

0% o

f the

tota

l ric

e in

a b

atch

of s

ake

will

be

take

n to

a ro

om c

alle

d th

e Ko

ji M

uro,

whe

re th

e ko

ji m

old

will

be

slow

ly

grow

n on

the

stea

med

sa

ke ri

ce.

Char

coal

fini

ng to

rem

ove

any

colo

r, re

mai

ning

sak

e ka

su, o

r tra

ce o

rgan

ism

s fr

om th

e sa

ke.

Wat

er d

ilutio

n of

the

sake

to re

duce

the

alco

hol c

onte

nt.

Bott

ling

is d

one

befo

reor

aft

er p

aste

uriz

atio

n. I

t is

gen

eral

ly th

ough

t tha

t bo

ttlin

g be

fore

pas

teur

i-za

tion

keep

s th

e sa

ke a

s fr

esh

and

unex

pose

d to

el

emen

ts a

s po

ssib

le.

Past

euriz

atio

n is

don

eto

pre

vent

any

yea

st o

r en

zym

e ac

tivity

in th

e bo

ttle

, and

ext

ends

the

shel

f life

of s

ake.

6 m

onth

s to

a y

ear o

f te

mpe

ratu

re c

ontr

olle

d m

atur

atio

n to

fully

de

velo

p th

e sa

ke’s

char

acte

ristic

s.

Page 8: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

SAKE CONTINUES TO THRIVE

4.9 millions of liters of sake imported to the US in 2015. 47% increase in sake import

volume over the last 6 years.

Sake imports haveINCREASEDevery year for the past 15 years except during the

2009 recession.{

Source: http://www.fas.usda.gov/gats/default.aspx

SAKE SALES SURGE AT VINE CONNECTIONS

30%increase in shipment revenue

from 2012 to 2015.

15%increase in revenue from 2014 to 2015.

6%increase in points of distri-bution from 2014 to 2015.

DECODING A BACK LABELVine Connections was the first importer to develop a sake back label that clearly outlines the important facts for describing or learning about each sake. These include:

BRAND NAMEPRODUCT NAMEGRADEFLAVOR PROFILEORIGINRICE VARIETY USEDBREWERY OR SAKE FACT

The bottle graph shows the % of each grade of sake produced in Japan, and the darkened area shows the grade level of the particular sake.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Mill

ions

of L

iters

Volume of Sake Imports - Japan to US

Page 9: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

SAKE SERVING SUGGESTIONS

POURING ETIQUETTEJapanese culture places importance on respecting each other during all customs, including sake consumption.• Pour sake with both hands by holding the neck of the bottle or carafe as much as possible.• Pour each other’s cups when sharing sake.

DRINKING VESSELS• Serve sake in a wine glass for the ultimate sensory experience.

• More traditional vessels include wooden box cups (masu), porcelain cups (ochoko), and carafes (tokkuri).

TOP 6 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SAKEMyth #1 Sake should be drunk hot.There is a great range of enjoyable temperatures to drink sake, but serving it steaming hot masks its subtlety and exacerbates the alcohol.

Myth #2 Sake is low in acid relative to wine.Sake lacks the acids associated with wine (tartaric and malic), but it is higher in amino acids than wine is. This makes it a perfect pairing for food.

Myth #3 Sake is high in alcohol.Sake yeast is only capable of fermenting a bever-age until it reaches 20% alcohol, and the sake is usually diluted afterward to bring down the level of alcohol to 14 to 18%.

Myth #4 Sake should be cheap.Large format bottles of table sake are inexpensive, but the same is not true for premium sake. The high quality raw materials and the careful precision that goes along with crafting the beverage is very expensive.

Myth #5 Sake causes hangovers.Excessive drinking of any alcohol will eventually cause a hangover. However, premium sake has no sulfites, additives, or preservatives, which is what many people to believe to cause hangovers.

Myth #6 Sake oxidizes in the same amount of time as wine does.Once opened, premium sake will remain fresh for at least one week. Some sakes stay fresh for even longer!

Page 10: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

原酒

吟醸

地酒

乾杯

生もと

古酒

酒母

飲み会

酒飲み

精米歩合

心白

- 酒

杜氏

特別

山廃

酔っ払い

Page 11: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

1 Sake for DrinkingWarm & Cooking

1 Entry LevelPremium Cold Sake

1 Nigori(Cloudy Sake) 1 Plum Sake

Sake Intro: shelf space for 4 sake SKUs

TRY:

Toza

i Typ

hoon

SIZE

: 720

ml o

r 1.8

L

TRY:

Toza

i Sno

w M

aiden

SIZE

: 300

ml o

r 720

ml

TRY:

Toza

i Blos

som

of P

eace

SIZE

: 720

ml

e Intro

TRY:

Toza

i Typ

hoon

or To

zai L

iving

Jewe

lSI

ZE: 7

20 m

l

Sake Stepping Up: shelf space for 6 sake SKUs

1 Premium Sake,Elegant & Complex

+1 Super Premium Sake,

Daiginjo or Junmai DaiginjoTR

Y: K

onte

ki Te

ars o

f Daw

n,

Kont

eki P

earls

of S

impli

city,

or

Gin

ga S

hizu

ku D

ivine

Dro

plets

SIZE

: 300

ml o

r 720

ml

TRY:

Taka

tenj

in S

word

of t

he S

un,

Riha

ku D

ance

of D

iscov

ery,

Chiyo

noso

no S

hare

d Pr

omise

, or

Toza

i Well

of W

isdom

SIZE

: 300

ml o

r 720

ml

lf space fo

HOW TO BUILD A SAKE RETAIL SHELF SET

Sake Pro: shelf space for 12+ sake SKUs

Additional Junmai GinjoSelections

+Additional Categories:

kimoto, yamahai, sparkling, dry nigori

TRY:

Yuh

o Rh

ythm

of t

he C

entu

ries

or R

ihak

u D

ream

y Clou

dsSI

ZE: 3

00 m

l or 7

20 m

l

TRY:

Fuk

ucho

Moo

n on t

he W

ater

, Ka

nbar

a Brid

e of t

he F

ox, o

r Nan

bu

Bijin

Sou

ther

n Bea

uty

SIZE

: 300

ml o

r 720

ml

Page 12: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

AMA NO TO

WHY DOES AMA NO TO STAND OUT?

1) This is a true “Grower’s Sake”—the rice growers also make the sake, creating an intimate synergy with the raw materials. They only use rice from fields close enough to see from the brewery.

2) Ama No To translates to “Heaven’s Door,” referring to the prefecture which is at the northernmost tip of Japan. The label image is an icon of good fortune from Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess who is believed to have brought light to the world and cultivated Japan’s first rice fields.

3) Toji Moriya-san is a critically acclaimed chef who brews his sake specifically to improve a meal.

SAKE • Heaven’s Door (Tokubetsu Junmai): This incredibly well-balanced and complex sake takes its time to express itself in the glass. Layers of dried flowers and baking spice give way to savory salinity that make this sake the perfect pairing for pickled and fermented foods.

BREWERY LOCATION: Akita Prefecture

The epitome of the “local” farm-to-table movement, Ama No To only uses rice, water, and labor from its own prefecture.

All rice is farmed within sight of the brewery.

Page 13: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed
Page 14: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed
Page 15: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO - Vine Connections › media › 2441 › sake-essential-guide.pdfOver the course of four days, gradually increasing amounts of water, koji rice, and steamed

FUKUCHO

WHY DOES FUKUCHO STAND OUT?

1) Hiroshima is the birthplace of Ginjo sake and is known for remarkably soft water that requires expert skill to use in sake production. Once mastered, the soft water enables a highly controlled, precise fermentation, resulting in vibrant fruit aromas.

2) Miho-san’s passion and curiosity for sake brewing is truly amazing: to date she has revived a local heirloom rice that was out of use for hundreds of years, created her own hybrid yeast starter, and experimented with brewing sake using white koji.

3) There are around 30 female tojis in Japan, but when Miho-san started brewing there were far fewer.

Her extreme dedication to her craft encourages the future of women in this industry.

SAKE • Forgotten Fortune (Junmai): Miho-san revived Hattanso rice, an extinct heirloom breed, by devoting over 10 years of her life to learning how to grow it and brew with it. She mills the rice less than most Junmai sake because she believes it results in the best expression of its flavor, balance, and complexity. Hiroshima has more oyster beds than anywhere else in Japan, influencing the amazing pairing offered with oysters. • Moon on the Water (Junmai Ginjo): This vibrant showstopper aromatically jumps out of the glass and will make you fall in love with sake. It is a natural match for sweet, succulent shellfish like lobster and scallops, but surprising pairings like bittersweet chocolate work, too. • Seaside Sparkling (Junmai): Sparkling sake made through secondary fermentation in bottle. Crisp notes of lemon-lime and apple aromas with a soft, frothy finish that pairs well with seafood.

BREWERY LOCATION: Hiroshima Prefecture

Fukucho’s female brewery owner, Miho Imada, is also the Toji – a rarity in Japan to have both jobs done by the same person.

President and Toji Miho-san

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KAWATSURU

WHY DOES KAWATSURU STAND OUT?

1) Located on the beautiful island of Shikoku, the brewery translates to “river crane,” named after lucky local sightings of the culturally symbolic bird.

2) The president recently promoted a longtime female brewery employee to become the toji. Toji Miki Fujoka is married with two young children (almost unheard of in the sake industry). She is serious, soft-spoken, and incredibly hardworking. Her sake is characteristically round and feminine.

3) Using almost all locally grown rice, Kawatsuru brews sakes that are soulful, round, and structured without being high-tone or showy.

SAKE • Crane of Paradise (Junmai): Textured and mineral-driven with defined notes of grapefruit and a grassy, bright and lifted finish. Pretty aromas and a delicate earthiness resulting in a rich, deeply satisfying style. Described as “umakuchi,” a combination between sweet, dry, and umami flavors.

BREWERY LOCATION: Kagawa Prefecture

Known for its rice-driven style with elegant, rich texture, Kawatsuru pays respect to the crane that symbolizes longevity and good fortune.

Toji Miki Fujoka

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TAKAHIRO NAGAYAMA

WHY DOES TAKA STAND OUT?

1) President/Toji Takahiro Nagayama is passionate about his estate grower-producer style sake, allowing him to brew sake that represents his personality and to reach all the people who drink it.

2) “Taka” is the first character of Takahiro-san’s name and means “noble.” His unwavering discipline and commitment to technical precision result in elegant but restrained sake.

3) After learning about wine, Takahiro-san transformed an average mid-sized brewery to one that focuses on small production, premium quality, and junmai-only brewing. His “think global, act local” ideology and brewing style of energetic tension have gained a cult following in Japan.

SAKE • Noble Arrow (Tokubetsu Junmai): Well-defined but restrained aromas with flavors of melon rind, lime leaf and mint. This sake is mineral-driven with structured acidity and roundness – a timeless style that is not over the top like many other cult sakes.

BREWERY LOCATION: Yamaguchi Prefecture

Takahiro’s estate rice growing philosophy cultivates regionally focused sake full of tension and balance.

Takashiro Nagayama Brewery

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YAMADA SHOTEN

WHY DOES YAMADA SHOTEN STAND OUT?

1) Made in an ultra-handcrafted and traditional style, the kanji on the label translates to “nothing has changed since the beginning.” This is also the smallest brewery (280 koku) that Vine Connections represents.

2) Yamada Shoten was founded in 1868 and the Yamada family continues to mill their own rice in-house like their ancestors did without access to technology (unheard of for such a small-production brewery). They brew at ambient temperatures without heating or cooling controls.

3) Located in Gifu, a remote, mountainous area known for hiking, skiing, fishing, and natural hot springs.

SAKE • Everlasting Roots (Tokubetsu Junmai): Savory and rustic style with smoky, nutty aromas. Flavors of melon, orange, and clove spice. This 900ml bottle is perfect for sharing.

BREWERY LOCATION: Gifu Prefecture

This husband-wife team brew sake in a classic style in the same way their ancestors handcrafted it, continuing deep-rooted traditions.

Yamada Shoten Brewery

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