The News
SOTO, a Japanese sake brand, has announced the launch of its new super-premium expression, SOTO Junmai Ginjo, which is bottled in Nagano prefecture. The product uses snowmelt from the Japanese Alps and is now available in select U.S. markets. The release highlights the brand’s expansion into higher-end sake offerings.
The Takeaway
- Regional Craftsmanship: SOTO Junmai Ginjo is crafted in Nagano, a region known for its pure water and cold climate, which contributes to the sake’s refined character. The use of snowmelt from the Japanese Alps gives it a unique clarity and balance that sets it apart in the premium sake market.
- Premium Positioning: This new expression marks SOTO's continued effort to expand into super-premium segments, targeting consumers looking for more sophisticated and elegant sake options. It’s not just another product line—it’s a statement of quality and heritage.
- Market Strategy: The limited availability in select U.S. markets suggests a targeted approach, likely aimed at premium retailers or specialty beverage shops that cater to discerning customers interested in Japanese craft beverages.
Original Press Release
The acclaimed Japanese sake brand expands their premium sake portfolio with a new expression from the celebrated Nagano prefecture
NEW YORK, NY, March 31, 2026 – Japanese sake brand SOTO is pleased to announce the release of SOTO Junmai Ginjo Super-Premium Japanese Sake, now available in select markets in the United States. The launch of this expression represents the continued evolution of the brand’s premium portfolio.
SOTO Junmai Ginjo Super-Premium Japanese Sake is meticulously crafted and bottled in Nagano prefecture, drawing on the region’s reputation for purity and craftsmanship. The sake’s refined character emerges from the use of pristine snowmelt sourced from the majestic Japanese Alps, naturally filtered as it journeys through layers of mineral-rich earth. The crystalline Alpine water imparts a remarkable clarity and balance, allowing the sake to express a signature elegance, depth of flavor, and polished complexity. Each element of its origin harmonizes to deliver a super-premium sipping experience, distinguished by a vibrant profile.
Nagano rose to international prominence as the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics and is celebrated for cultivating some of Japan’s finest culinary specialties, such as wasabi and soba. The terroir offers a unique intersection of altitude, climate, and water purity, underscoring the region’s exceptional hydrology and cold-climate brewing conditions—an asset equally critical to sake production. "With SOTO Junmai Ginjo, our goal was to set this sake apart from our current lineup—not just by introducing a new region, but by exploring a unique taste profile and expression," shared SOTO co-founder Dan Rubinoff. “We wanted to provide sake enthusiasts and sommeliers with something truly distinctive and memorable. This release represents our commitment to innovation and offering new experiences that elevate the SOTO portfolio.”
SOTO Junmai Ginjo Sake offers a balanced, medium-bodied profile with sophisticated fruit-forward character. Aromas of white grape, apple, and banana bread mingle with hints of basil and are supported by a refined, mineral-driven backbone. The palate is graced with vibrant acidity and expressive notes of subtle berry and stone fruit, adding a gentle complexity that enhances both structure and length. The sake’s textured body, simultaneously sharp and silky, offers a robust umami foundation, allowing the sake to pair seamlessly with a broad spectrum of cuisines—from rich proteins and artisanal cheeses to complex charcuterie boards—while maintaining a dynamic, kaleidoscopic style.
In continuation with SOTO’s tradition of visually striking brand identity, the new SOTO Junmai Ginjo pack features the brand’s classic black and white design cues offset by a beautiful grey label designed by Joe Doucet. The grey tone on the label pays tribute to Nagano’s wild macaques (Japanese Snow Monkeys), famous for soaking in natural hot springs during winter—one of the most iconic wildlife images in Japan.
Crafted for purity and authenticity, SOTO Junmai Ginjo contains no additives, preservatives, or sulfites, making it all-natural and gluten-free. Bottled at its origin in Japan, it is handled with careful attention, including temperature-controlled shipping and ultraviolet-protected bottles to preserve integrity throughout distribution, exemplifying uncompromising character—ideal for the discerning connoisseur.
Best enjoyed chilled, SOTO Junmai Ginjo Super-Premium Japanese Sake is available in 720ml bottles at select restaurants and premium retailers nationwide (suggested retail price: $39.99). To learn more and shop the collection, visit the SOTO Sake Website.
For all media/press inquiries or asset requests, please contact: Erin@Twilightworldwide.com
Erin Smolinski, SOTO Sake PR Consultant
Source: BevNET