INTRODUCING ZENKURO
Zenkuro Sake is handcrafted with passion at Zenkuro Sake Brewery in Queenstown. Established in 2015, Zenkuro is Aotearoa/New Zealand’s first and only sake brewery. ‘Zen’ means all, whilst ‘kuro’ means black—a simple but powerful combination born in New Zealand.
The brewery was founded by David Joll, a New Zealander and certified Advanced Sake Professional with formal brewing training in Japan. Drawing on his deep respect for traditional Japanese sake-making, David leads production with a commitment to purity, precision, and authenticity. He is joined in the venture by his wife, Yasuko Joll, originally from Fukuoka, Japan. Yasuko plays a vital role in shaping Zenkuro’s cultural and sensory identity, helping bridge Japanese tradition with New Zealand craftsmanship. Their partnership is at the heart of Zenkuro’s unique East meets South style.
Adhering to time-honoured traditional Japanese brewing practices, Zenkuro Sake is given a unique Kiwi twist with the use of tools made from manuka timber, New Zealand’s own miracle tree. With its cool, clean, crisp climate and abundance of soft glacial-fed water, Queenstown is the perfect setting for premium grade sake production.
Their junmai-style sake is as pure as sake can be.
Gluten-free and low in acidity, it is made without preservatives, clarifiers, or unwanted additives of any kind.
Zenkuro is an expression of David and Yasuko’s love and respect for Japan’s craft traditions and sake culture, as well as their pride in Aotearoa/New
Zealand’s natural purity and pioneering spirit. Light bodied with gentle, well-balanced flavours and soft umami, Zenkuro Sake is crafted to be savoured with your favourite food, family, and friends.
Furusato Junmai 750ml
14% alc/vol
Soft and smooth with deep umami, comforting sweetness and fruity aromas, Furusato Junmai can be enjoyed cold or gently warmed. Furusato means hometown,,and refers to the sake rice we source from Fukuoka, Japan, the hometown of our head brewer’s wife, Yasuko.
White Cloud Nigori Tokubetsu Junmai 750ml
14% alc/vol
Crafted by lightly filtering the fermented moromi (mash) to leave behind just enough lees in the sake to maintain its original white colour, body and texture. Produced in small batches, our Nigori is fresh yet silky smooth, and goes particularly well with spicier and richer dishes.
Shizuku Junmai Ginjo 750ml
14% alc/vol
This sake is crafted using the most extravagant pressing method. The fermented mash is poured into bags, which are suspended from manuka poles to allow the sake to gently filter through the mesh, using gravity alone. While the yield is low, this is the most delicate style of sake. Our Drip Pressed Junmai Ginjo is light- bodied, clean & smooth with subtle fruit aromas and gentle umami. Food pairing suggestions are fresh seafood and salads, grilled fish, pasta, chicken, veal and pork with light sauces, and good old fish & chips.
Wakatipu Sleeping Giant Junmai Ginjo 750ml
15% alc/vol
The fermented mash is gently pressed in a traditional pressing tank using local rocks as weights for the press. Dry with medium body, balanced umami and gentle stone fruit aromas, this is definitely a sake to sit down with at the dinner table. The umami flavour components are a great match for the protein elements on your plate. Drink alongside familiar favourites such as grilled steak, barbequed meat, pizza, paella, hearty casserole, Asian stir-fried chicken, cheese, salami and rich pâté. Enjoy cold or warmed gently to suit the occasion.
Aoraki Junmai Daiginjo 750ml
15% alc/vol
The ‘Aoraki’ JUNMAI DAIGINJO is named after the highest peak in the land. It has been hand crafted at Aotearoa New Zealand’s one and only sake brewery in Tahuna Queenstown, using a combination of the highest grade of Yamadanishiki & Gohyakumangoku sake rice, which has been purpose grown for us in Japan, and pure, soft water from our own Southern Alps.
Light bodied and semi-dry, with balanced layers of soft fruit flavours, subtle, sweet aromas and gentle rice umami, ‘Aoraki’ JUNMAI DAIGINJO is best served cold.
Zenkuro Plum Sake
13.5% alc/vol
This is New Zealand’s first ever Plum Sake, handcrafted in Queenstown. Zenkuro Junmai sake has been infused with a perfect blend of locally grown Central Otago plums and manuka honey from Queenstown’s own honey producer, Tiny Fury @buzzstop.
Zenkuro Plum Sake is a delightfully refreshing drink that is sure to brighten your day. This seamless fusion of time-honoured traditional Japanese brewing methods, local passion and premium grade Kiwi ingredients is best enjoyed chilled, with family, friends and your favourite food. Please keep your bottle in a cool, dark place and drink within 6 months of your purchase to enjoy the fresh taste.