The Kura - 蔵
Our Saké Brewery Partners
Shinano Nishiki - 信濃錦
Miyajima Saketen
Established in 1911, Miyajima Saketen is the first producer in Japan to brew saké with no added preservatives with patents to prove it! As pioneers in this space, their passion has always been to make saké using only organic, locally farmed and sourced rice for their brews. Taking it one step further, they were instrumental in the development of the Miyama Nishiki rice varietal, which is ideal for high altitude, cold climate growing regions such as Nagano.
The brewery is located high up in the mountains, surrounded by the Southern and Central Japanese Alps. Temperatures can average -10°C in the winter, making it the ideal terrain for saké brewing. Additionally, the brewery has access to an abundance of clean and pristine alpine spring water, which is crucial to making quality saké.
Sustainability is another core principle that the brewery believes in. That is why they invest tremendous resources to the entire product life cycle. All of their rice are procured through local farmers, all sake lees by-product are used as fertilizer for rice cultivation, and they have a bottle recycling program. To top it off, they have installed state-of-the-art energy efficient machinery in their facility as well.
Kisoji - 木曽路
Yukawa Shuzo
Established in 1650, Yukawa Shuzo is the second oldest saké brewery in Nagano Prefecture, not to mention that it is a female owned and operated brewery, who also happens to be the 16th generation owner.
The brewery is located at an altitude of 936 meters above sea level, where the temperature can drop to -18°C during the saké brewing winter season. The cold temperature acts as protection from active bacteria, allowing for quality saké production. They also have access to pure and clean spring water from the headwaters of the Kiso River, which flows from the Northern Japanese Alps. Additionally, Yukawa Shuzo only uses the highest quality rice produced in Nagano Prefecture.
Yukawa Shuzo has been producing award winning saké for years, most recently their IWC winning saké in 2023.
Yoakemae - 夜明け前
Ono Shuzo
Established in 1864, Ono Shuzo is located 810 meters above sea level, making it ideal for sake brewing in the winter when temperatures drop. The brand name 'Yoakemae', which translates to 'Before the Dawn' in Japanese holds a dear meaning to the 5th generation owner. The famous Meiji era novelist, Shimazaki Tōson, published his work 'Yoakemae', a historical novel about the Meiji Restoration in 1929. Moved by the novel and wanting to rejuvenate the saké brewery, Ono Shuzo's first generation owner wanted permission from Tōson to use the novel name, which was a perfect metaphor for a new beginning. The brewery was allowed to use the name under one condition; they must never settle for mediocrity, to always pursue for the highest quality using only the best ingredients, only then could they use the name. To this day, the spirit of the oath has not been forgotten, and every bottle is crafted with passion and care.
Having access to clean mountain spring water allows Ono Shuzo the ability to continue to brew high quality saké. The brewery specializes in saké made from Miyama Nishiki and Kinmon Nishiki rice varietals, which are native to Nagano. Additionally, they use Yamada Nishiki rice varietal from Hyogo, which is widely regarded as growing the best expression of that rice varietal. Known for making award winning saké, Ono Shuzo was recently recognized as the IWC Gold Medal-winner in 2023.
Coming Soon!
Look out for more partner breweries!
