Tsukinowa Shuzo — Sake Story

Tsukinowa Brewery

Prefecture: Iwate

Family: Yokozawa

Founded: 1886

Visit the Brewery

Mukaihata- 101 Kosuiji, Shiwa
Shiwa District, Iwate Prefecture 028-3303, Japan

About The Brewery

Shiwa City is home to the ancient and revered Nanbu Sake Brewing Guild, famous for their koji expertise.

Today, the 133-year-old brewery is under the direction of toji brewmaster Hiroko Yokozawa, one of the bright stars among the growing ranks of exceptional women toji in Japan. Hiroko returned to work with her father in 2006 and has since taken the brewery to new heights of quality, winning medals worldwide, balancing a modern style with deeply rooted brewing traditions, expanding production, and inspiring her young brewing team. Hiroko has made sake with mochi rice and distills her own kasutori shochu from sake lees.

At the brewery, Tsukinowa employs an extended koji propagation and uses traditional wooden vats for steaming the rice and traditional fune for pressing their sake

Toji Hiroko Yokozawa

Having spent many years working in the fashion industry, Hiroko Yokozawa returned to her father’s Sake brewery to start a new career in Sake making. She is now a regular gold prize winner in the Annual Japan Sake Awards.

Outside of becoming an award-winning Sake brewer, Hiroko is actively innovating within the industry. She started using the Sake lees, or “Kasu,” to produce Schōchū as opposed to using the lees for pickling or marinating, which are the traditional uses for this byproduct of Sake production. Hiroko then adds this Schōchū to her Honjozo Sake – creating a uniquely sustainable Sake; a special addition to the Tsukinowa Brewery.

Tsukinowa Brewery Products

"Tsukinowa Kinen"
Blue Hue

本醸造　月の輪記念ラベル

Honjozo 本醸造
Tsukinowa Brewery | Iwate Prefecture

This is the beloved day-to-day sake of the locals in Iwate Prefecture. Eminently drinkable, always delicious with a wide variety of food types and cuisines. Brewed with the flavorful, locally grown, Hitomibori Sake rice.
Body: Medium
Sake Meter Value: +4
Serving Temp: Chilled | Cellar | Warm
Flavor Profile:
Clean, crisp, apple fresh aroma and fruitiness on the palate; mild, ricey graininess adds balance, complexity and length to the finish.
Food Pairings:
Shrimp Wakame-Udon | Tempura Softshell Crab Burgers with Curried Mayo | Margherita Pizza | Chickpea Hummus and Pita
Rice Type: Hitomebore
Milling Rate: 55%
Yeast: Yuko no Omoi
Alc by Vol: 16.5%
Water: Very Soft, Mountain Snow Fed Spring
Available Sizes: 720ml | 1800ml

"Yoi-No-Tsuki"
Midnight Moon

大吟醸　宵の月

Daiginjo 大吟醸
Tsukinowa Brewery | Iwate Prefecture

Brewed from Iwate grown Ginginga sake rice, unique local yeasts and soft snow melt spring water to bring out bright round flavors and exotic tropical aromas. A small amount of in-house distilled alcohol enhances the aromas and softens the body.
Body: Medium
Sake Meter Value: +5
Serving Temp: Chilled
Flavor Profile:
Pure, smooth mid-palate, progresses to an edgy dry finish. Ripe honeydew melon, peach, strawberry, bamboo and anise flavors. With Tsukinowa's "Kakushi-Aji" or hidden flavors, no one profile stands out but all elements arrive in harmony.
Food Pairings:
Scrambled Eggs with Sea Urchin and Lobster Sauce | Amaebi Sweet Shrimp Sashimi | Pan seared Mahi Mahi with Coconut Swiss Chard
Rice Type: Ginginga
Milling Rate: 50%
Yeast: Giovanni no Shirabe
Alc by Vol: 16.5%
Water: Very Soft, Mountain Snow Fed Spring
Available Sizes: 720ml

"Tsukinowa"
Moon Ring

特別純米　月の輪

Tokubetsu Junmai 特別純米
Tsukinowa Brewery | Iwate Prefecture

Moon Ring is a style of Tokubetsu Junmai that aims to capture a more modern fruit forward taste profile. Brewed using locally grown Iwate Ginotome sake rice and soft snow-fed spring water, Moon Ring is both refreshing and rich; fruity with a full body and sweet grainy malty character.
Body: Medium +
Sake Meter Value: +5
Serving Temp: Chilled | Cellar
Flavor Profile:
Full, clear, complex, round, smooth, grainy umami richness. Tree and vine fruit aromas are balanced by more serious character of junmai. Long finish closes with grainy rice mash cut.
Food Pairings:
Baked Ginger-Crusted Branzino with Watermelon Mango Chutney | Jasmine Rice with Garlic Sautéed Bok Choy | Pork Curry
Rice Type: Ginotome
Milling Rate: 55%
Yeast: Yuko no Omoi
Alc by Vol: 16.5%
Water: Very Soft, Mountain Snow Fed Spring
Available Sizes: 720ml | 1800ml