The Sake Specialist ®
Kura Selections is Vino del Sol’s portfolio of artisanal sakes. Kura Selections launched Obata Shuzo and its Manotsuru product line, in 2008.
Obata Shuzo has been hand-making boutique premium sake since its founding in 1892, using pure, soft groundwater and world-famous Sado Island, Niigata sake rice. The kura is still owned and managed by the Obata family; fifth generation Rumiko Obata runs the brewery and is a leading woman of sake. The toji (master brewer) is the acclaimed Kenya Kudo. The brewery has received Gold Medals at National New Sake Competition, at the International Wine Challenge, the Fine Sake Awards Japan Competition, and the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, as well as 90 point scores and Best Buys from Beverage Testing Instititute. The brewery has been featured in Wine & Spirits, the Los Angeles Times, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Spectator.
Rumiko and Obata Shuzo are also leaders in sustainability and were the 2020 winner of the Sataoyoma Award for Sustainability.
Crane Junmai
90 Points & Best Buy,
Beverage Testing Institute
The red crane is a symbol of good luck. This is a junmai sake, which means it is pure rice sake (no alcohol was added). An elegant, slightly earthy sake with notes of stone fruit, pistachios, and white chocolate. Please drink this sake chilled or at room temperature. A great all-around sake, it goes well with a wide range of foods.
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Crane Karakuchi
Best Buy,
Beverage Testing Institute
This is a Karakuchi sake, which means it is dry. This elegant sake has citrus and almond aromas with a silky mouthfeel. It can be served chilled, at room temperature, or warm. Manotsuru Crane Karakuchi goes well with a wide range of food; try it with your favorite chicken dish!
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- Images
- Tech Sheets
- Sales Sheet
- Crane Karakuchi-Japanese (0.2 MiB)
- SalesSheet (1.4 MiB)
- Point of Sale
Demon Slayer
90 Points & Best Buy,
Beverage Testing Institute
This is an Onikoroshi (“Demon Slayer”) sake, which means it is very dry. Medium-bodied sake with tantalizing fruit flavors and a pleasant nuttiness on the mid-palate. Hints of mineral on the very dry finish. Best served slightly chilled and is wonderful with all types of meat.
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Countless Visions Nigori
90 Points & Best Buy,
Beverage Testing Institute
Gold Medal,
Beverage World
This is a Nigori sake, which means it was unfiltered and has more rice particles; this creates a cloudy sake with a distinctive sweet taste. Tropical notes of starfruit and guava hit the palate with a refreshing burst of flavor along with anise and melon flavors. A creamy and spicy finish. Shake before serving chilled. Goes well with spicy food. The label is inspired by the Sado Island Noh poet Zeami.
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Bulzai Ginjo
92 Points & Best Buy,
World Sake Challenge
This is a Nama-chozo sake, which means it is left un-pasteurized until the bottling stage; this adds zestiness to the mouthfeel. Refreshing aromas of bananas and tropical fruit. The finish offers hints of licorice and white pepper over stone-driven mineral notes. Best served chilled. Bulzai “hits the mark” with a wide range of appetizers and fish dishes.
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Maho Daiginjo
Gold Medal,
National Sake Awards Japan (’19)
This perennial gold medal winning Daiginjo has clean and fresh aromas, with notes of anise. Peppery on the palate with juicy ripe melon and good acidity and length. Best served mildly cool. It goes well with rich dishes such as cream sauce as well as with a wide range of appetizers and fish dishes, including whitefish and fresh oysters.
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Pure Bloom Sweet Junmai Ginjo
90 Points,
Beverage Testing Institute
Pure Bloom, Sweet Junmai Ginjo Sake is brewed with only pure, soft groundwater and world-famous Niigata sake rice. This well-balanced, low alcohol sake is crafted with a fresh and pleasant sweetness. It has a soft, light and elegant palate that showcases the cherry blossom, lychee and white chocolate notes.
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Rumiko Daiginjo
Silver Medal,
Beverage Testing Institute
This sake is named in honor of Rumiko Obata; she is the fifth-generation leader of our brewery. This ultra-premium sake has aromas of white flowers, butterscotch, tropical fruits and a long, velvety finish. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
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Kura Selections Brand Materials
- Kura Selections Sales Sheet
- Kura Selections Individual Sales Sheets
- Kura Selections Sustainability Story
- Kura Selections Brand Sheet
- Kura Selections Brand Sheet (Japanese)
- Artisanal Sake Selling Tips
- Wine Enthusiast Article on Rumiko & Manotsuru
- In-Depth Sake Tasting Guide
- Sake Tasting Map
- Kura Selections Power Point Presentation
- Sake Cocktail Recipes
- Rumiko Obata Bio
- Portfolio Overview
- The Sake of Sado Island (.PPT)
- The Sake of Sado Island (PDF)
- Sake Food Pairing
- Rumiko Obata Featured in Savvy Tokyo
- Manotsuru Tasting Sheet
- Wine Enthusiast Article on Niigata and Manotsuru
- Wine Spectator Interview of Rumiko Obata
- L.A. Times Article on Manotsuru
- Wine & Spirits article on Niigata and Manotsuru
- Sake Today Article on Rumiko Obata and Brewery
- Sake Rice Classification
- Kura Selections Photo Album
- Obata Shuzo’s Website
- Obata Shuzo and Sustainability
- Obata Shuzo in the Japan Times
- Manotsuru Poster #1
- Manotsuru Poster #2
- Manotsuru Poster #3
- Manotsuru Poster #4