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.