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Zenkuro Sake

Our Story

New Zealand’s first and only sake brewery, Zenkuro Sake is based in Queenstown. We produce a ginjo and junmai style of sake using only the finest polished sake rice and water sourced from the Southern Alps. The purity of our ingredients creates a fine sake, best enjoyed chilled as a healthy accompaniment to any meal. You can get your Zenkuro fix in New Zealand, London and now in Japan.

Our brand name is Zenkuro. While the character 全 (zen) means ‘entirely’ or ‘completely’, 黒 (kuro) means ‘black’ – a mix that brings an image of power and strength that is uniquely Kiwi. Go Zenkuro!

Our team have spent most of their lives with some connection to the land where sake comes from: Japan. They have a passion to share their appreciation of not only Japan, but also the place that they call home, Queenstown, New Zealand. Our sake is an expression of the surroundings and the water sourced from the pristine mountains and lakes around our home.

David Joll, Zenkuro’s head brewer and a certified ‘Sake Professional’, first travelled to Japan as a 17-year old exchange student, many moons ago. He later studied Japanese at Auckland University, Shizuoka University, and completed a post-graduate course in Japanese Studies at Hitotsubashi University. He is also a black belt in Judo. After years of research drinking sake, he is now our master of the brewing process. Dave is married to Yasuko, from Fukuoka.

Our Wines