Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture; President & CEO: Kengo Suzuki; hereinafter “Tsunan Sake Brewery”) is pleased to announce that its sake brand “GO VINO” has received the Excellence Award in the Junmai Sake Category at the FY2025 Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Taxation Bureau Sake Awards. In addition, Tsunan Sake Brewery’s ginjo sake “Tsunan Ai” was also awarded the Excellence Award in the Ginjo Sake Category at the same competition, marking a double award achievement for the brewery.
“GO VINO” is a unique Japanese sake characterized by its refreshing acidity and fruity aroma, reminiscent of white wine. The brand name VINO, meaning “wine” in Italian, reflects the concept behind the product: a sake designed to go beyond traditional Japanese cuisine and to be enjoyed across a wide range of dining occasions, including Western cuisine and outdoor settings.
On the palate, it delivers fresh, fruit-like aromas with crisp acidity, followed by a light and clean finish. Its versatility makes it an excellent pairing with cheese, appetizers, and grilled dishes, and it is especially approachable for those new to sake as well as for wine enthusiasts.
Located in one of Japan’s heaviest snowfall regions, Tsunan Sake Brewery harnesses the rich natural environment of Tsunan Town and its pristine snowmelt water. Guided by its philosophy, “Brew for Future — Brewing a Future of Coexistence,” the brewery continues to merge traditional sake craftsmanship with innovative ideas. Moving forward, Tsunan Sake Brewery remains committed to proposing new values and ways of enjoying sake, sharing them both domestically and internationally.
Product Overview
- Product Name: GO VINO
- Category: Japanese Sake (Junmai Sake)
- Characteristics: Refreshing, white-wine-like acidity with a fruity aroma
- Recommended Occasions: Western cuisine, outdoor dining, and casual meal settings
Comment from Kengo Suzuki, President & CEO
“We are truly honored to receive this award. GO VINO is crafted to highlight acidity while bringing out a vibrant fruity aroma. Although it has a wine-like impression, it still clearly retains the essence of Japanese sake—this balance is its defining characteristic. I believe it has become a sake that will appeal not only to sake lovers but also to wine connoisseurs. I hope many people will enjoy it casually and discover the broad potential that sake has to offer.”
About Tsunan Sake Brewery
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. is a sake brewery based in Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture, one of Japan’s heaviest snowfall regions. The brewery uses natural spring water sourced from mountains rising over 2,000 meters above sea level as its brewing water. Under the brand concept “Brew for Future — Brewing a Future of Coexistence,” Tsunan Sake Brewery produces sake using locally grown rice varieties such as Gohyakumangoku and Uonuma Koshihikari. In 2025, the brewery received the Niigata Governor’s Award (First Place) at the Echigo-Style Sake Brewing Technology Championship, a prestigious competition showcasing brewing excellence.
Tsunan Sake Brewery Website: https://tsunan-sake.com/
