Sake Dinner at Blue Door
with Hello Uncle featuring Kikusui Sake Brewery | April 15, 2026

Charlotte Wine + Food Week presented by Truist held a sake dinner at Blue Door featuring the exceptional sake of Kikusui Sake Brewery. Special guests, Shunsuke Takasawa, Founding Family of Kikusui Sake Brewery and Sara Guterbock, Japanese Beverage Specialist & Educator for NY Mutual Trading Co. , guided patrons through a curated journey of these iconic sake. Guests were also treated to specialty sake cocktails by Blue Door’s award-wining mixologist, Mike Guzmán. Each selection was thoughtfully paired with a multi-course menu expertly crafted by Chef Michael Le of Hello Uncle.

Thanks to the Charlotte Wine + Food Board Member host for the evening, Cat Carter.

Featured sake included: Funaguchi Honjozo Nama Genshu | ORIGINAL GOLD CAN | Niigata, Kikusui Junmai Ginjo | CHRYSANTHEMUM MIST | Niigata, Kikusui Sakamai Junmai Daiginjo | BORN AGAIN | Niigata, Kikusui Sakamai Junmai Daiginjo Genshu | ETERNAL LIFE | Niigata, Kikusui Kuramitsu Junmai Daiginjo | TASTE OF TRIUMPH | Niigata, Kikusui Funaguchi Ginjo Nama Genshu 1 Year Aged | RUBY CAN | Niigata, and Kikusui Perfect Snow Nigori | PERFECT SNOW | Niigata.

A brief live auction was held at the end of dinner including: Two (2) in-home dinners featuring a multi-course meal by L’Ostrica & Hello Uncle for twelve (12), a bottle of Kikusui Perfect Snow Nigori | PERFECT SNOW | Niigata, a side-by-side of Kikusui Junmai Ginjo | CHRYSANTHEMUM MIST | Niigata, Kikusui Sakamai Junmai Daiginjo | BORN AGAIN | Niigata, and a side-by-side of Kikusui Sakamai Junmai Daiginjo Genshu | ETERNAL LIFE | Niigata, Kikusui Kuramitsu Junmai Daiginjo | TASTE OF TRIUMPH | Niigata. The auction raised over $15,300!

All proceeds benefited Beds for Kids, Digi-Bridge, Families Forward Charlotte, and Wayfinders.

Photo Credits: Josh Bannen Photo