【Brewery Tour】Visit the Only Sake Brewery in Japan that Uses 100% Self-Cultivated Rice!
From Rice Cultivation to Sake Brewing, All Handled In-House🌾
Visit the Only Sake Brewery in Japan that Uses 100% Self-Cultivated Rice!
Generally, the rice used for sake brewing is often sourced from farmers. Therefore, it is common for rice producers and sake brewers to be different entities.
In contrast, Watanabe Sake Brewery in Nechidani, Niigata Prefecture, is gaining worldwide attention as the only sake brewery in Japan that cultivates 100% of its rice for brewing sake.
This time, we will introduce the charm of Watanabe Sake Brewery, which operates in a domaine style, handling everything from rice cultivation to sake brewing in-house!
The Charm of Watanabe Sake Brewery
The greatest charms of Watanabe Sake Brewery, which won the gold medal at IWC 2023, are…
- Sake brewing using only their own cultivated rice
- Ideal temperature differences for rice cultivation
- Constant mountain breeze that is stress-free for rice plants
- Soft underground water from heavy winter snowfall
- Vintage sake that offers a sense of maturation
In this blessed natural environment, Watanabe Sake Brewery grows rice in the field during summer and brews sake in the brewery during winter.
Staff members, who are well-versed in the terroir of Nechidani, cultivate Niigata’s unique sake rice, “Gohyakumangoku,” which lends a soft flavor, and “Koshitanrei,” which transforms into a crisp mouthfeel.
World-renowned Vintage Sake
Domaine Watanabe, which reflects the terroir ideal for sake brewing.
You can enjoy its charm through different vintages!
Domaine Watanabe 2022
Subtle hints of cocoa and dried grass in the aroma.
There’s also a fruity sensation in the lingering aroma.
Domaine Watanabe 2021
Smooth and gentle, with no rough edges, extending seamlessly.
As the temperature rises, the sweetness increases significantly.
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