Japanese Women in Fermentation: Sake, Wine & Beer Tasting + Live Taiko

*We invite you for this special event in cooperation with Sequoia Sake Company!

*Sequoia Sake is happy to extend a 10% discount on any sake purchases during the event to Society members!

Taste sake, wine, and beer crafted by Japanese women producers in Northern California, with otsumami, a panel discussion, and live Taiko.

A Historic First: Three Japanese Women, Three Crafts, One Afternoon

For the first time in the Bay Area, three Japanese women masters of fermentation are coming together to host a collaborative celebration of craft. This is an incredibly rare opportunity to meet the women behind the labels of local sake, wine, and beer in a single, intimate setting.

Note on Attendance: To maintain the intimacy of the panel discussion and the quality of the tasting experience, this is a very small event and seats are strictly limited. We recommend securing your tickets early for this one-of-a-kind gathering.

About the Event

This guided tasting experience brings together sake, wine, and beer crafted by Japanese women working across the region. Guests will taste a wide range of sake, wine, and beer while hearing directly from the producers about fermentation traditions, craft techniques, and the stories behind each beverage.

Throughout the event, guests will enjoy 3–6 curated samples each of sake, wine, and beer, accompanied by Japanese small bites (otsumami) designed to complement the tasting.

The afternoon will also feature a panel discussion with the three producers, where they will share their experiences making alcoholic beverages in California as Japanese women—discussing challenges, rewards, and the paths that led them into fermentation. Guests are warmly invited to participate with questions during the conversation.

As a cultural highlight, the event will also include a live Taiko drum performance, bringing the powerful rhythm and spirit of traditional Japanese drumming to the gathering.

Meet the Producers

Noriko Kamei | Co-Founder & Brewer, Sequoia Sake Company
Our host for the afternoon, Noriko, transitioned from a career in IT to become a pioneer of the craft sake movement in San Francisco. Driven by a passion for fresh, unpasteurized Nama sake, she leads Sequoia Sake’s koji production with meticulous care. Using organic California rice and Yosemite watershed water, Noriko’s sakes have earned prestigious recognition both locally and in Japan, proving that world-class sake can have deep roots in the Bay Area.

Sonoe Hirabayashi | Owner & Winemaker, Six Cloves Wines
Born in Nagano, Japan, Sonoe’s heritage is steeped in the “kura” (brewery) tradition. Her family has produced miso, soy sauce, and sake for generations, giving her an intuitive connection to the living arts of fermentation. With a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis, Sonoe founded Six Cloves Wines to bridge Japanese precision with the premier terroir of Sonoma County. She is also a dedicated Taiko performer, bringing the same rhythmic discipline to her winemaking that she brings to the drum.

Naoko Haruyama | Food Scientist & Brewer, Barebottle Brewing Co.
Bringing both academic rigor and artisanal soul to the group, Naoko holds an M.S. in Food Science from Kyushu University and is a graduate of the renowned UC Davis Master Brewers program. Her deep expertise in the microbiology of yeast allows her to innovate within the Bay Area brewing scene, crafting beers that reflect a sophisticated balance of scientific excellence and Japanese aesthetic.

Food Pairing

Japanese small bites (otsumami) will be prepared by Mariko Grady of
Aedan Fermented Foods, featuring thoughtfully fermented ingredients that pair beautifully with the beverages.

The Performance: Heartbeat of the Island

The afternoon will be energized by live Taiko performances representing the preservation of Japanese heritage:

• Miyake Daiko originates from the traditional festival music “Miyakejima Kamitsuki Mikoshi Daiko” of Miyake Island. Under the guidance of our sensei (instructors)—the Tsumura family of the Miyakejima Geinou Doushikai—this original festival music was dynamically arranged for the stage. The Miyake rhythm is deceptively simple, yet highly physically demanding. Bay Area Miyake is a dedicated group composed of Miyake Daiko enthusiasts from across the region.
• Hachijo Daiko by Hideaki & Hitomi : North Bay’s favorite taiko couple, Hitomi and Hideaki, share the improvisational spirit of Hachijo Daiko. After meeting in NYC and joining the historic group So-Daiko, they have become pillars of the international taiko community, sharing the unique, two-sided drumming style that captures the spirit of Hachijo Island.

Two live Taiko performances will take place outside the brewery:

1:00 PM
3:00 PM

Each performance lasts approximately 10 minutes. Guests attending any of the tasting sessions will be able to step outside to enjoy the performance either before or after their tasting experience.

Additional Information

• This event is 21+ only