Winter Saké Fuyu Fest showcase of Japanese Rice-Wine in Portland
Winter saké event Fuyu Fest takes place February 22nd at The Redd on Salmon in southeast Portland.
Did you know that Portland, Oregon leads the U.S. in per capita saké consumption? While many people know what sake is atleast in concept, and have tried the koji rice bacteria fermented “beer” also known as “rice wine” most of us haven’t really experienced Japan’s favorite alcoholic beverage. On February 22nd, 2025 the Fuyu Fest, presented by Sunflower Sake, comes to southeast Portland venue The Redd on Salmon offerring a unique opportunity to expand your palate.
Fuyu Fest represents a new generation of beverage festivals that prioritizes education, cultural exchange, and community over mass consumption. This carefully curated celebration limits attendance to 500 participants to ensure meaningful connections between attendees and sake professionals.
The festival will showcase over 70 curated sakes (hand-selected by the Sunflower Sake team), including exclusive tastings of the Kobe Sustainable sake project "Meguru," while maintaining a thoughtful focus on hydration, moderation, and exploration.
"Portland's unique position as a beverage capital of the West Coast, combined with our deep connections to Japanese culture, creates the perfect environment for reimagining what a sake festival can be," says Nina Murphy, festival founder and owner of Sunflower Sake. "We're building an event where the world's most innovative sake professionals want to participate, while staying true to Portland's community-focused values."
The festival's unique format encourages attendees to engage with sake in multiple ways throughout the afternoon. Comfortable seating areas and dedicated spaces for educational sessions allow guests to pause, reflect, and learn between tastings. Special demonstrations include a hot sake pairing experience with Jo Takasaki from Tokyo's acclaimed Takasaki no Okan restaurant, accompanied by Yamagata Yamabushi guide and Niida Honke sake ambassador, "Akai" Kohei.
New for 2025, the festival introduces premium take-home experiences, including specially curated hot sake kits featuring professional tools and selected bottles. Purchase stations will also be available throughout the event for guests to order their favorites for pick-up at Sunflower Sake the following week. True to Portland's collaborative spirit, the festival features culinary partnerships with local establishments including Obon, Not Umami's Kitchen, and Electrica. These partnerships ensure substantial food offerings throughout the event, reflecting the festival's commitment to a balanced, educational experience.
The festival's artistic elements showcase Pacific Northwest talent, featuring:
Hand-sewn and dyed poster by artist Erika Harada using traditional katazome resist method
Limited-edition commemorative sakazuki (sake cups) crafted by local artist Dwayne Sackey
A dedicated Manga Lounge hosted by Portland newcomer Reggie's Manga Shop
Various local artists and craftspeople displaying their work
Fuyu Fest donates 20% of ticket revenues to Ikoi no Kai, a lunch program serving Portland's Japanese American elder community. The festival maintains a no-table-fee policy for artists, sake vendors, and food vendors, ensuring the event benefits all participants.
Ticket Information:
Early Bird (before January 1st, 2025): $75
Early Bird + Commemorative Sakazuki: $114
General Admission (after January 1st, 2025): $85
All attendees must be 21+ with valid ID
The festival runs from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with food service beginning at 1:00 PM and sake tasting from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
For more information and updates about Fuyu Fest 2025, visit fuyufest.org or follow @fuyufest and @sunflowersake on Instagram.
Sunflower Sake is located in Portland's vibrant beverage district, Sunflower Sake represents the forward-thinking evolution of sake retail in America. The shop focuses on creating an inclusive, intellectual approach to sake education and appreciation, reflecting Portland's passionate beverage culture while honoring and supporting the traditions and innovation of Japanese sake brewing.