Sake 101 Seminar at Blue Door
featuring Kikusui Sake Brewery | April 16, 2026

Charlotte Wine + Food Week presented by Truist held a Sake 101 Seminar 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 sake seminar. Guests were also treated to specialty sake cocktails by Blue Door’s award-wining mixologist, Mike Guzmán. Each selection was thoughtfully paired with bites from Blue Door neighbor Yume Ramen Sushi & Bar.

Thanks to the Charlotte Wine + Food Executive Director, Lauren Deese for hosting.

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

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

Photo Credits: Miguel Alejandro Photography