Wakaze The Classic Junmai

Wakaze · Yamagata (Sakata) / France (Fresnes)
Alcohol Sake Alcohol Growing export

Wakaze is an innovation-led craft sake producer founded in 2019, brewing both in Yamagata (Sakata) and at its Parisian sakagura in Fresnes near Paris using French wine yeast and Camargue rice. The Classic is a low-polish (90%) junmai with bright acidity and white-koji sweetness, designed to pair like wine. It is imported to the US via Kome Collective / Vine Connections and sold across Europe. Wakaze pioneers a wine-forward, terroir-driven sake style.

The supplierWakaze Co., Ltd., founded 2019; dual Japan (Yamagata) and France (Paris) brewing; wine-yeast, low-polish terroir sake
Why it sells abroadFrance-brewed sake; wine-yeast terroir; bridges sake and natural-wine audiences

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsHalal: not publicly verified. Organic-JAS: not publicly verified. Kosher: not publicly verified. HACCP/FSSC 22000: not publicly verified. (confirmed) Wakaze (est. 2016; Kura Grand Paris brewery in Fresnes, France since 2019; Yamagata origins) makes French-ingredient sake; won Kura Master 2020 Platinum (junmai) and IWC 2020 Silver; listed as vegan-friendly on Barnivore (not a formal vegan certification). (Awards, not a dietary/food-safety cert.)
Pack formats750ml wine-style bottles; cases of 6/12; yuzu and barrel variants (draft retained)
Shelf life12 months; some bottle-conditioned lines evolve (draft retained)
StorageCool storage; refrigerate after opening
Minimum orderTypical: case-level via Kome Collective
Lead timeTypical: importer stock; EU direct shorter; reorder 6-8 weeks
CapacityTypical: craft scale; growing dual-site output
Container loadLCL via importer; EU intra-market road freight
PricingMid; The Classic 750ml retail ~USD 25-35
OEM / private labelCollaboration/limited editions; primarily own brand (not confirmed as formal OEM).
Wholesale & MOQJunmai craft wholesale; 750ml wine-format mid-tier
Key exporters & distributorsKome Collective, Vine Connections, The Art of Sake
Export regulationTTB COLA + import permit (US); EU production for EU market; HS 2206
Market demandGrowing fast; strong appeal to wine buyers and sommeliers in US/EU
How to source itYamagata + Paris (Fresnes) breweries -> Kome Collective (US) / direct EU distribution -> retail/on-premise (draft retained; EU production base confirmed)
Verified sourceshttps://www.wakaze-sake.com/en/about-us/; https://www.japan.go.jp/kizuna/2020/revolutionizing_sake_from_paris.html
MakerWakaze Co., Ltd.
OriginYamagata (Sakata) / France (Fresnes)
CategoryAlcohol / Sake
Available inUnited States, France, United Kingdom +3 more
HandlingAlcohol
Price tierMid
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessGrowing export
HS code2206.00
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.