Bronze Medal Brilliance: “Yuki no Matsushima Kai Hitomebore Junmai Genshu” Shines at the International Wine Challenge 2025

International Recognition for an Exceptional Brew

The results are in, and the world of sake is buzzing with excitement. At the prestigious International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2025, Yuki no Matsushima KAI Hitomebore Junmai Genshu has proudly earned a Bronze Award, standing out in a competition renowned for its rigor and global influence.

About the International Wine Challenge

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the IWC remains one of the most respected wine and sake competitions worldwide. Since introducing the SAKE division in 2007, the IWC has played a pivotal role in promoting Japanese sake to an international audience. Today, it is the largest and most influential sake competition outside of Japan, recognizing excellence through medals, champion sake titles, great value accolades, and even honors like Brewer of the Year.

Participation in the IWC offers breweries a chance to benchmark their products against peers worldwide, gain extensive free publicity, enhance their brand's profile among consumers and traders, and boost sales using the prestigious IWC medal logos.

An Award-Winning Sake with a Distinctive Character

Among the many fine entries, Yuki no Matsushima KAI Hitomebore Junmai Genshu captured the attention of judges for its craftsmanship and character. Pasteurized on the very day it’s pressed, this sake locks in an extraordinary freshness that defines its identity.

It opens with a sweet and inviting aroma, yet surprises the palate with a clean, mature, and deeply satisfying flavor.

Locally Grown Rice, Pure Spring Water Quality

Brewed with Hitomebore rice sourced from local Yamato Town, its clarity and sheen mirror the purity of spring water. Each sip reveals a fruity aroma that belies its rice origins, delivering a soft, gentle umami that lingers in the best way.

It’s a sake that manages to be both refined and approachable—perfect for seasoned connoisseurs and curious newcomers alike.

A Brewmaster's Touch: Kaishi Sekiya

Behind this award-winning brew stands Kaishi Sekiya, the young brewmaster who is fast becoming a rising star in Japan’s sake world. The “KAI” in Yuki no Matsushima KAI is a tribute to Kaishi himself, whose name and spirit are infused into every bottle.

At just 31 years old during the time of the award, Kaishi is already building an impressive legacy.

A Rising Star in the Sake World

In 2023, in only his second year as brewmaster, Yuki no Matsushima KAI Hitomebore Junmai Genshu won 1st Place Gold in the Junmai Sake category at the SAKE COMPETITION—Japan’s largest and most competitive sake judging event. That same year, he also received the Diners Club Young Brewer Encouragement Award, a special honor reserved for the top-ranking young brewers under 40.

Sake brewing runs deep in Kaishi’s blood. Following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather, he brings a blend of tradition, passion, and youthful innovation to every batch.

Now Available: Taste the Legacy

With its recent IWC bronze medal, Yuki no Matsushima KAI Hitomebore Junmai Genshu is now available for sake lovers to enjoy. It’s more than a beverage—it’s a story of heritage, ambition, and the delicate art of capturing flavor at its peak.

Taste the award-winning legacy today.