STORY OF SATO OKA MEADERY

     "I found myself living in Japan. Despite feeling somewhat lost in a foreign land, I managed to land a job at Sugarhill Kyoto, a Japanese-Western fusion restaurant located in Kyoto. It was here that I met Masayuki Koyano, the owner of the restaurant and soon to be father-figure.

     Mr. Koyano was a wise and respected figure who encouraged me to learn everything there was to know about the local culture and ingredients. Eager to please my mentor, I spent a majority of my free time learning new things. While conducting research I came across a video about how to make mead, a honey wine that has been crafted for thousands of years. I was intrigued and wondered if I could introduce this beverage to the Japanese market.

     I confidently told my boss about my findings and insisted that, after watching a short video, I knew how to make mead. He was very skeptical and thus challenged me to make a batch of mead using the honey from the restaurant right then and there. Undeterred, I set off to the corner store to gather ingredients. I returned and got to work measuring, putting everything together, and setting it aside to ferment.

     For 30 long days, we waited and watched as the mead fermented. Doubts and worries crept into my mind, not knowing if this was going to work. Finally, the moment of truth arrived, and I was thrilled to discover that I had actually, successfully created my first batch of mead, right there in the restaurant. and not only did it work, it tasted amazing.

     Thanks to my mentor's push and encouragement, I had unlocked a newfound passion for alcohol creation. I started on fine tuning my mead-making skills, and eventually I started my own mead company, which I named Sato Oka, which translates to "Sugar Hill", in honor of Mr. Koyano and his beloved restaurant.

     Today, I am forever grateful for the lessons I had learned from my mentor, and the opportunities that were presented to me. I encourage everyone to find their own mentor, someone who can help guide and inspire them to reach their full potential. Who knows, you may just discover a passion you never knew existed." - Tano Irrera (Founder)

Thank you, Mr. Koyano, for everything. どうもうありがとうございます.