Sake Sommelier Association

🌟 For the first time in New York City! 🌟

We are proud to announce the first-ever Master Sake Sommelier® in the heart of Manhattan, NYC 🍶 🇺🇸

The Master Sake Sommelier is the peak of Sake Sommelier education, with alumni of the course true leaders of their craft. The course focusses on training students to perfect their service, identification and pairing skills; as well as specialised modules training the art of buying & selling high end sake.

This elite qualification is taught by the Deep Dive Sake School , and led by our fantastic Sake Educator Russell King, offering the highest standard in sake certification. Join the best of the best and climb to the peak of your sake career. 🗻🏙️

The course will be held at the Skurnik Wines & Spirits in central Manhattan, a fantastic location in the heart of New York. allowing for prospective Master Sake Sommeliers from all around the world to join.

📍 Manhattan, New York City 📅 October 3rd–4th, 2026 (with an optional pre-event on Oct 2nd)

👉 Registration & details: or visit www.deepdivesake.school

🍎 Greetings from the Big Apple! 🗽✨

We are thrilled to introduce Chris Sachs , our Sake Educator teaching across New York and New Jersey! 🍶🏙️

Chris is a highly accomplished beverage professional, having earned the prestigious Master Sake Sommelier at the start of the year; as well as holding the WSET Diploma and the title of Italian Wine Ambassador. Chris has now taken on the mantle of our Sake Educator for New York and New Jersey, working hard to train the next generation of Sake Sommeliers in the city that never sleeps 💎
Also a Sales Representative with Skurnik Wines & Spirits, Christopher brings real-world industry experience to his teaching. He believes every bottle acts as a "passport" to another culture,  a philosophy central to his school Travel by Wine’s Passport to Sake 🍷💼

We are also thrilled to announce that Chris will also be assisting with teaching the next Master Sake Sommelier course, coming to New York this October! 🎓✨

Whether you are starting your journey or aiming for the highest tier of mastery, join Chris’s upcoming Introductory Sake Professional and Certified Sake Sommelier courses to explore the world of sake through the lens of a true beverage authority, and earn the next stamp in your sake passport 🛄

There's a moment in every sake lover's journey when tasting isn't enough. 🍶

It’s the moment you want to immerse yourself — not just in flavour, but in the craft, the culture, and the discipline behind it.

The Master of Sake® is designed for those ready to step into the highest levels of sake brewing skill. Not from the outside looking in, but from within the brewery itself.

This is more than a course — it’s a transformative two-month journey into the heart of Japanese sake.

Throughout the program, you'll learn alongside Japan's finest brewers. Not as a student observing from a distance, but as an apprentice with your hands in the process.

Sake brewing is a highly profound and complex process, and this course offers the

opportunity to learn authentic brewing skills from professionals in the sake industry.

🍶 One-on-one guidance from master brewers as you deepen your craft

🌏 Available in Japan through selected brewery partners, and in English in New Zealand

📚 Pre-programme support including Japanese language basics, sake terminology, cultural orientation, and hygiene & safety training

From day one, you’ll be welcomed as part of the brewery team and supported throughout by both our education team and your host brewery.

Ready to take that step? DM us or contact us via our website

Some things can only be learned by doing✔️

🇭🇰 Greetings from Hong Kong! 🏙️✨

We are pleased to introduce Joy, our new Sake Educator at the Sommelier Wine & Sake Education Centre in Hong Kong! 🍶🏮

Joy is a highly qualified professional, holding an impressive array of sake qualifications which now include her Sake Educator certification! With her deep expertise and fluency in Japanese, she serves as a vital bridge between traditional craftsmanship and the vibrant Hong Kong market. 🎙️💎

Established in 2015, the Sommelier Wine & Sake Education Centre .education.centre is a leading institution in Hong Kong, known for its focus on quality education. The academy emphasizes practical learning by providing students with carefully selected benchmark samples, ensuring a clear understanding of different sake styles and grades. 🍷🎓

We are excited to announce our upcoming courses led by Joy this summer:

📅 Introductory Sake Professional (ISP) & Certified Sake Sommelier (CSS): June 12 – August 22, 2026

Join Joy at the Sommelier Wine & Sake Education Centre to elevate your knowledge through a curriculum focused on professional excellence and high-quality training. 🌊✨

Congratulations to Giovanni for the prestigious the Advanced Sake Sommelier® course🎉

Giovanni Depergola, founder of Alembic—a creative beverage consultancy based in Dubai—joined our course this time, and he was once again inspired by the artistry and craftsmanship of sake brewing. We can’t wait to see him use this experience to make an even bigger impact around the world!
A special thank you to Ichinoya for welcoming Giovanni and sharing their expertise in sake brewing. Founded in 1865 at the foot of the Northern Alps, the brewery is surrounded by rich nature and pristine water. While preserving the traditional Kimoto brewing method, Ichinoya continues to craft exceptional sake today by balancing tradition and innovation. 🍶

The Advanced Sake Sommelier® is a unique, immersive experience, offering hands-on brewery visits, terroir-focused activities, and deep insight into sake production.
Ready to deepen your sake knowledge?
Start with the Certified Sake Sommelier® and unlock the full value of the Advanced course—designed to take your expertise to the next level 🗾

この度、Giovanniが「Advanced Sake Sommelier® (酒ソムリエ上級)」の資格を取得されました。おめでとうございます！🎉🎉

ドバイを拠点とするクリエイティブ飲料コンサルティング会社 Alembic の創設者、Giovanni Depergola が今回コースに参加しました。Giovanniは実践型のコースを通して、酒造りの素晴らしさや職人技に改めて感銘を受けました。この経験を活かし、これからも更に世界で活躍されることを期待しています。
また、Giovanniを温かく迎え入れ、日本酒造りの知識と経験を共有してくださった 市野屋（） に心より感謝いたします。1865年創業、北アルプスの麓に位置する市野屋は、豊かな自然と清らかな水に恵まれた酒蔵です。伝統的な生酛造りを守りながら、伝統と革新のバランスを大切にし、今日も素晴らしい日本酒を造り続けています。🍶

「Advanced Sake Sommelier®（酒ソムリエ上級）」コースは、訪日前の事前研修に始まり、酒蔵内での実践研修を通して日本酒造りの本質に迫る特別なプログラムです。精米や麹室での作業といった醸造の核心に触れるだけでなく、蔵外での活動を通じてテロワールを体感し、酒蔵の歴史や地域文化とのつながりを深く理解します。教室を越え、五感で学ぶこの体験は、まさに一生に一度の貴重な学びとなります。
※本コースは、認定酒ソムリエ資格保持者（Certified Sake Sommelier®）を対象としています。

🌸 Greetings from the Land of the Lotus! 🇻🇳✨

We are proud to introduce our Sake Educators in Vietnam, Lê Quý Hưng and Tam Le Dang Vinh! 🏮🍶

Lê Quý Hưng .ish , the Sommelier-Owner of .gathering & Smoke Cuisine in Ho Chi Minh City, brings over 12 years of experience in Japan to our network. His approach focuses on the philosophy of craftsmanship, bridging Japanese traditions with the Vietnamese palate through thoughtful pairings. 🎙️🍱

Tam Le Dang Vinh is an experienced professional who’s just returned from Tokyo where he’s been a judge at the Tokyo Sake Challenges 2026! Holding numerous international certifications and mentored by Vietnam’s original SSA Sake Educator Baku Takahashi, Tam is a key figure in training the next generation of sake professionals in the region. 🏆🌍

With courses are organised by Protrader JSC, our Sake Educators are dedicated to building a sustainable sake ecosystem across Vietnam. 🌊🎓

Happy 🌸✨ INTERNATIONAL SAKE SOMMELIER DAY ✨🌸

Today we celebrate Sake Sommeliers® around the world — passionate professionals who bring sake to life every day 🍶🌍

From restaurants and bars to education and beyond, your dedication, craft, and commitment continue to shape how the world experiences sake — its stories, traditions, and culture.

Inspired by the spirit of Hanami, when millions gather each year between late March and early April to admire the brief yet spectacular bloom of cherry trees, let’s also come together to celebrate sake and the community behind it.
Raise a glass with your fellow sake sommeliers. Kanpai! 🍶✨🌸

This day is for you — the hardworking Sake Sommeliers® who inspire, educate, and connect the world through sake!

🍷 Greetings from the Heart of the Hermitage! 🇫🇷✨

We are proud to introduce Baptiste Gauthier , our dedicated Sake Educator in Tain l’Hermitage! 🍇🍶

With over 15 years of experience working alongside three-Michelin-starred chefs, Baptiste brings elite expertise to the world of Nihonshu. At Terra Rhona , located in the beautiful Villa Caroube, he has long been a key figure in bridging the worlds of fine dining and Japanese craft. 🥂🏯

Following on from a great course recently in March, we're looking forward to our next Certified Sake Sommelier course led by Baptiste in Terra Rhona!
📅 Next Session: October 04 + 05, 2026

Join Baptiste to discover the intricate world of sake through the lens of a true hospitality professional and elevate your expertise in the heart of the vineyards. 🌊🍷

We’re thrilled to announce our latest graduate of the Master of Sake course, Melvin at Hatsumomidi Brewery .222 🎉

Melvin is the first participant from the Philippines to join the course. While running a wine business, he visited Japan and discovered sake, instantly becoming captivated by its charm. He had explored sake through theory and tastings, but it wasn’t enough. Seeking a deeper understanding, he joined this course for hands-on experience in sake brewing for 2 months.

Congratulations, Melvin! 🎉

We’d like to thank our partners at Hatsumomidi Brewery in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan 🇯🇵, who shared their passion and knowledge during the Master of Sake program and guided Melvin every step of the way! Founded in 1819, they’ve been brewing for over 200 years and have continuously dedicated themselves to the art of sake production, earning numerous awards along the way.

Our Master of Sake program is a tailor-made, focused apprenticeship at a sake brewery, providing an insider’s view of the ancient sake brewing process as well as how a modern brewery operates. The course is offered with select brewery partners in Japan, and in English with in New Zealand 🇳🇿.

Melvin Suaが『Master of Sake (マスター・オブ・酒)®』コースを修了いたしました！おめでとうございます 🎉

Melvinは、フィリピン初のMaster of Sakeコースに受講者です。ワインビジネスを経営する中で日本を訪れ、日本酒と出会った瞬間、その魅力に強く惹かれました。これまで理論やテイスティングを通して日本酒について学んできましたが、それだけでは満足できず、実践で日本酒をより深く理解するため、今回のコースに参加しました。

山口県のはつもみぢ酒造の皆様 🇯🇵Master of SakeプログラムでMelvinを温かく迎え、惜しみなく情熱と知識を共有してくださったことに、心から感謝申し上げます。1819年創業、200年以上にわたり酒造りに取り組む同蔵は、日本酒造りの技術と芸術に力を注ぎ、数々の受賞歴を誇ります。

『Master of Sake (マスター・オブ・酒)®』は、伝統的な酒造りを学び、醸造家を育成することを目的とした資格取得コースです。オンラインの事前研修から始まり、実際に酒醸造所で蔵人と2ヵ月間過ごすことで、日本の歴史や文化、地域と風土、自然に触れ、杜氏や蔵人たちの技と熱意を学び、日本酒の理解を深めます。開催は、厳選されたSSAの酒蔵パートナ―、英語のコースも@zenkuroで開催中です。

Greetings from the City of Roses 🌹

Today our focus is on one of our fantastic Sake Educators: Kate Koo our partner in Portland, Oregon! 🇺🇸🍶

Kate’s sake journey began in 2007 with a single sip of Yuki no Bosha (Cabin in the Snow), sparking a passion that has spanned nearly two decades. Since opening the sushi bar at Zilla Sake in 2008, she has curated one of the most impressive menus around, featuring nearly 100 sake selections by the glass! 🏯🥢

After years of deep study and mentorship from her "Sake Senpai" Marcus Pakiser, Kate took the step to become a Certified Sake Sommelier and Sake Educator 📚 and - most exciting of all - earlier this year she earned the coveted Master Sake Sommelier qualification 🏅

Kate runs  to empower food and beverage professionals with the skills they need to provide world-class service 🤵‍♀️The Oregon Sake Academy places a strong emphasis on teaching with tasting elements introducing sake in an approachable way, with the belief that there is a sake for everyone to enjoy 🍶