
Junmai Ginjo Kujiranami
Ena Brewery | Gifu Prefecture
Ena Brewery
Ena Brewery, located quietly in the mountains of Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, has been brewing sake for generations using high-quality rice harvested in terraced fields and the abundant soft water that springs from the mountains behind the brewery.
Ena Brewery is located in the mountains of Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, at an altitude of about 600 meters overlooking the Central Alps. It sits quietly among the terraced rice fields that gradually spread out along the mountain slope. Its founding dates back to 1818 during the late Edo period. The brewery was originally a farmer, but then took notice of the high-quality rice harvested in the terraced rice fields and the abundant spring water, and started a sake brewery. Sake breweries in the mountains are rare, and it is said that in the days before cars, it was very difficult to transport rice and sake. On the other hand, the slope of the mountain allows water to flow from the brewery to the bottling facility, main house, pond, and river without the need for a pump, and it has the advantage of being able to use the soft water that springs from Futatsumoriyama, the mountain behind the brewery, in abundance. This soft water, with a hardness of 4, creates a soft and smooth sake.
The name of the brand "Kujiranami" that has been passed down for generations comes from the fact that the clouds flowing over the mountains resembled a graceful swimming whale. It also means big waves, and is imbued with wishes for leaps and progress.
"Kujiranami" is brewed in a mountain brewery with the image of clouds in mind. It has a clear flavor that combines the dynamism of a sake swimming gracefully along the mountainside with the delicacy of a cloud. Enjoy it while thinking of the natural scenery of the mountains where the brewery is located.