Shichihonyari
Shiga, Japan
The CEO Yasunobu is super hip and friendly guy, but also regal-looking. Yes, he is the 15th generations of this brewery. Using ancient rice and not shaving it too much, his sake has a robust earthy aroma that goes well with the fermented foods traditionally eaten in the region.
However it doesn’t feel heavy by action of acidity. “We are working with young farmers that we want to show our region proudly to next generation. So even we plant and harvest rice together with high school students.” This hipster brewery is cool to visit also, actually you will see lots of signature on the tank, you can find beautiful balance of old and new. The brewery was also a favorite of a world-renowned artist named Rosanjin, and the calligraphy on this label, -Shichihonyari is his work. The sake is so well-loved that it has been featured in the Michelin three-star restaurant The French Laundry. Pressing with an old-fashioned manual machine, “It takes longer, but it produces a clear taste,” says Yasunobu. And now, he is thinking of passing the baton to a new generation by starting to make aged sake.
They have over 460 years of history and they’ve been always very important and leader in their region, Shiga. This young CEO Yasunobu became also a leader of young farmers to grow ancient rice of this region which has unique taste but because it’ s not easy to grow, nobody wanted to grow it anymore. And also, they are growing organic rice for sake.
