REGION: Niigata

Located in the heart of Japan’s premier sake making region of Niigata, Kamonishiki has been crafting high quality sake since 1893.

The name Kiminoi translates directly as ‘Emperor’s Well’ and dates from the 19th century when the Emperor Meiji used the sake as the personal stock at his summer estate The master brewer at Kiminoi uses the traditional “yamahai” method of preparing the yeast starter for the fermentation process. This ancient and labor intensive production method creates their deep, rich and full bodied sake.

Tucked into the valleys of Gosen in northern Niigata prefecture, Kinshihai Shuzo’s history as a brewery dates to 1825 when the area was ruled by the Muramatsu clan. This small family brewery produces limited batches in the great Niigata style known as tanrei-karakuchi, ‘light and dry.’