SAKE MANOTSURU
OBATA SHUZO (OBATA SAKE BREWERY)

449,Manoshinmachi,Sado-city,
Niigata952-0318,Japan
tel: 81-259-55-3171 / fax: 81-259-55-4215
contact: Rumiko Obata
  E-mail: bigblue@viola.ocn.ne.jp

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MANOTSURU won the GOLD MEDAL
At the largest and most respected Sake competition in Japan,
National Sake Competition 2008.
Also at IWC-INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE SAKE CATEGORY 2007.

 

 

The ‘Four Treasures’ of Sake Brewing, from Sado, Niigata

The 3 elements that are commonly held to be crucial in sake 
brewing are “Rice”, “Water” and “Humans” (Brewers). 
In addition to the aforementioned three, we take into 
account the importance of “climate and nature”, which greatly 
influence the “Rice” and “Water”. Our motto is to brew sake 
where the ‘four treasures’ may work harmoniously to produce a well balanced product.
Moreover, our family crest has ‘four points’, which stays true to our motto in holding these principles to be of utmost importance.
Sado Island, where our Manotsuru sake is brewed, has been in the forefront of wildlife and nature conservation. Particularly, we have concentrated our efforts in conserving the Japanese Crested Ibis (Toki in Japanese). An island that is kind to the Ibis is kind to humans as well, creating a safe atmosphere for living. Such an atmosphere yields positive results to every process of sake brewing. 

 

 


Youthful Energy Shows no Compromise

At the helm of overseeing the production of Manotsuru sake is our head brewer,
Kenya Kudo (37 years old). Mr. Kudo apprenticed under Maho Matsui, a famed 
master brewer . 
During the sake brewing months of October through March, in order to live 
and breathe with the sake, Mr. Kudo practices a traditional and little used 
method of brewing which requires one to tend to the sake from the break of dawn, 

enduring freezing temperatures in order to create the best product possible.
Our young brewers show no compromise when it comes to improving the 
quality of our sake. This youthful energy has contributed greatly to our brewery being recognized and receiving Gold Medals at the National Sake Competition for 7times including 6 straight years starting in 2001.

 

 


Connecting the Skies of Sado to that of the World

In 2008 , ‘Manotsuru Maho’ earned a Gold Medal at the “National Sake Competittion” in Japan, also won the Gold Medal at the world renowned International Wine Challenge (IWC). The naming of our sake is a tribute to our former head brewer, Maho Matsui. As the name suggests, we are very pleased that the tasters at the competition valued the depth of the sake, reminiscent of rich ears of rice bursting with flavor.

In addition, our Manotsuru Daiginjo Sake in 180 milliliter bottles has been selected to be served to First and Business Class guests on Air France. We designed the labels specifically for our in-flight tasters; with images of the Japanese Crested Ibis flying across the sky.
Manotsuru is a sake that was born from the nature and climate that is Sado Island.
This very moment, there is life being breathed into a new droplet of sake.
With the change of the seasons, a new sake will be brewed to reflect and compliment the change in climate and atmosphere. Sake brewing is a never ending cycle, going hand in hand with the nature that gives birth to it. Though it may take some time, we would like to brew sake unique to our Island where the Japanese Crested Ibis roam free from harm.

It would bring me much joy to think, that one day, the skies over Sado Island may connect with that of the world and be a place that is loved and appreciated by many. 





By Rumiko Obata
OBATA SHUZO

 

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