SOTO SAKE
SOTO SAKE is a Miami-based super-premium Japanese sake brand founded in 2018, sourcing Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, and Junmai Daiginjo from Niigata and Nagano prefectures and selling directly to U.S. consumers via sotosake.com, through licensed retailers, and on-premise at upscale restaurants and bars.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersMiami, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SOTO SAKE does
SOTO SAKE CORPORATION is a Miami-based, privately held super-premium Japanese sake brand founded in 2018 that markets three sake expressions in the U.S. market: SOTO Junmai and SOTO Junmai Daiginjo, sourced from Niigata Prefecture, and SOTO Junmai Ginjo, launched in March 2026 and sourced from Nagano Prefecture. The brand's production relies on traditional Japanese brewing methods using only four all-natural ingredients—rice, water, koji, and yeast—with specialty inputs including Gohyakumangoku and Miyamanishiki rice varieties, Seishu Kobo yeast, and snowmelt water from the Japanese Alps. Bottling and formulation inputs include temperature-controlled shipping and ultraviolet-protected bottles to preserve product integrity. All SKUs are positioned as gluten-free, vegan, additive-free, sulfite-free, and preservative-free, with 14–15.5% ABV as a lighter alternative to high-ABV spirits.
The company's business model combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce at sotosake.com with on-premise foodservice placement at upscale restaurants and bars and wholesale via licensed third-party retailers. Orders are processed through AccelPay and fulfilled by licensed sellers, under which SOTO functions as a marketing agent rather than a direct shipper of alcohol. Pricing is fixed at $29.99 (Junmai 720ml), $39.99 (Junmai Ginjo 720ml), and $49.99 (Junmai Daiginjo 720ml), with smaller formats (300ml bottles, 180ml cans in 8-packs) and combo bundles, plus free shipping on 2+ bottles. Customer segments span premium sake enthusiasts, restaurants and bars, and health-conscious consumers seeking clean-label alcoholic beverages.
Customer channels include foodservice placements with Wagamama, Sushi Nakazawa, PF Changs, Hoseki at Saks Fifth Avenue, King Tai, Shirokuro, and Lowlands Bar, alongside brand-amplification collaborations with Bethenny Frankel, District Vision, Climate Cardinals, Public Records, Cibone, KINTO USA, Thomas Fuchs Creative, Miami Open Tennis, F1 Racing, and HIT Living Foundation. SOTO has accumulated multiple industry awards including Monde Selection, International Wine & Spirit Competition, World Sake Challenge, Sommelier Challenge, San Francisco International Wine Competition, Sommeliers Choice Awards, Asia International Wine & Spirits, Japan Wine & Spirits, Dieline Awards, and others. Marketing channels center on the brand website, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, a blog with cocktail recipes, influencer collaborations, and earned PR in food and beverage publications. Operations are headquartered at 901 Pennsylvania Avenue, Miami, Florida, with delivery restricted to U.S. addresses.
SOTO SAKE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SOTO SAKE
- Legal name
- SOTO SAKE CORPORATION
- Website
- https://sotosake.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SOTO SAKE is a Miami-based super-premium Japanese sake brand founded in 2018, sourcing Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, and Junmai Daiginjo from Niigata and Nagano prefectures and selling directly to U.S. consumers via sotosake.com, through licensed retailers, and on-premise at upscale restaurants and bars.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SOTO SAKE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Japanese Sake
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sake, Soju & Other Asian Alcoholic Beverages Producers & Brands (CRADAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sake & Traditional Rice Wine Production (AFAFAAAG)
Keywords
Where SOTO SAKE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Miami
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SOTO SAKE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Sales: SOTO Sake sells products directly to consumers through their website sotosake.com. Orders are processed by AccelPay and fulfilled by licensed third-party retailers. The company acts as a marketing agent for the sellers.
- Third-Party Retail Sales: Products are sold through licensed retailers throughout the United States. Orders are facilitated through the AccelPay network of third-party retailers. Delivery is arranged within the United States only.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SOTO Junmai - $29.99 for 720ml bottle |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SOTO Junmai Ginjo - $39.99 for 720ml bottle |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SOTO Junmai Daiginjo - $49.99 for 720ml, $24.99 for 300ml |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bundle Packs - Various savings |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
SOTO SAKE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SOTO SAKE produces and markets super-premium Japanese sake across three expressions (Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, Junmai Daiginjo) sourced from Niigata and Nagano prefectures using traditional brewing with rice, water, koji, and yeast. The company sells directly to consumers via sotosake.com and through a network of licensed third-party retailers and on-premise restaurants and bars across the United States. All products are all-natural, gluten-free, vegan, with no sulfites, preservatives, or added sugar.
Product overview
SOTO SAKE is a super-premium Japanese sake brand offering three distinct expressions: SOTO Junmai (entry-level, 65% polishing, Niigata), SOTO Junmai Ginjo (super-premium, 55% polishing, Nagano), and SOTO Junmai Daiginjo (premium, 50% polishing, Niigata). All expressions are all-natural, gluten-free, vegan, and made with only four ingredients: rice, water, koji, and yeast. The portfolio ranges from delicate and versatile to full-bodied and luxurious, targeting the modern U.S. consumer seeking premium Japanese spirits.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SOTO Junmai The foundational Junmai sake expression from Niigata Prefecture, crafted with Gohyakumangoku rice at a 65% polishing ratio. Delicate and light with notes of apple, golden raisin, steamed rice, mineral, and umami. Designed for versatile pairing with sushi, pizza, and bar food. Priced at $29.99 per 720ml bottle or available in an 8-pack of 180ml cans for $54.99.
- SOTO Junmai Ginjo Super-premium Junmai Ginjo crafted in Nagano Prefecture using Miyamanishiki rice polished to 55% and snowmelt water from the Japanese Alps. Medium-bodied with bright fruit and spring blossom notes, hints of stone fruit and persimmons, at 14% ABV. Designed as a versatile 'playful chameleon' for diverse cuisine pairings and cocktails. Priced at $39.99 per 720ml bottle.
- SOTO Junmai Daiginjo Premium Junmai Daiginjo from Niigata Prefecture using Gohyakumangoku rice polished to 50%. Full-bodied and creamy with gala apple aromas, melon and cucumber flavors, and a crisp clean finish at 15.5% ABV. Pairs with sashimi, unagi, yakitori, and charcuterie. Priced at $49.99 per 720ml bottle and $24.99 per 300ml bottle.
Quantifiable outcome
- SOTO typically ranges between 14% and 15.5% ABV, making it a lighter alternative to high-ABV spirits
Companies that use SOTO SAKE
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SOTO SAKE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
SOTO SAKE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- KINTO USAcorePartnership with KINTO USA, a design company creating thoughtful objects for everyday life. The collaboration represents a perfect pairing of SOTO Sake and KINTO's refined simplicity, celebrating harmonious design and balance. Both brands share a philosophy of bringing comfort and inspiration to daily rituals.
- Thomas Fuchs CreativecoreFranco-Japanese design collaboration at Thomas Fuchs Creative's exclusive dinner celebrating their new cobalt and navy melamine dinnerware collection. SOTO Sake's Junmai Daiginjo was featured as a palate cleanser, demonstrating sake's ability to enhance fine dining experiences.
- HIT Living FoundationminorPhilanthropic partnership with HIT Living Foundation, focused on animal and human welfare, dog rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing. SOTO supports the foundation's mission of compassionate, mindful living.
- King Tai BarcorePartnership with King Tai Bar in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, featuring SOTO sake in contemporary cocktail programs. The bar, opened in 2015 with a post-Deco 1940s Miami vibe, integrates SOTO into innovative cocktails demonstrating sake's versatility in modern mixology.
- WagamamacoreCulinary partnership and cocktail program integration with Wagamama, featuring SOTO sake in food pairing programs and cocktail menus at their restaurants.
- Sushi NakazawacoreCocktail program integration at Sushi Nakazawa, featuring SOTO sake in innovative cocktail creations at the acclaimed sushi restaurant.
- ShirokurominorCocktail program integration at Shirokuro, featuring SOTO sake in the establishment's cocktail offerings.
- Lowlands BarminorCocktail program integration at Lowlands Bar, featuring SOTO sake in their cocktail program.
- Bethenny FrankelcoreCreative collaboration with Bethenny Frankel for brand amplification and marketing initiatives.
- District VisionminorCreative collaboration with District Vision, a brand pushing boundaries of design, reinforcing the SOTO bottle as a modern icon.
- Climate CardinalsminorCreative collaboration with Climate Cardinals, a climate organization, for brand activations and community engagement.
- Miami Open TennisminorSponsorship partnership with Miami Open Tennis for brand visibility and sports marketing.
- F1 RacingminorPartnership with F1 Racing for brand exposure and motorsport marketing initiatives.
- Public RecordsminorCreative collaboration with Public Records, a gallery/makers space, for brand activations and cultural engagement.
- CiboneminorCreative collaboration with Cibone, a gallery and makers brand, for design-forward brand activations.
- Gotham Food PantryminorCulinary partnership with Gotham Food Pantry, featuring SOTO sake in food pairing programs and charitable initiatives.
- PF ChangscoreCulinary partnership with PF Changs, featuring SOTO sake in food pairing programs at their restaurant locations.
- BondiminorCulinary partnership with Bondi sushi restaurants, featuring SOTO sake in food pairing programs.
- OmakaiminorCulinary partnership with Omakai restaurant, featuring SOTO sake in food pairing programs.
- ErewonminorCulinary partnership with Erewon (premium food market), featuring SOTO sake in food pairing programs.
- AccelPaycorePayment processing and order fulfillment partnership with AccelPay (Paiseh, Inc.), a third-party network facilitating alcohol sales between licensed retailers and consumers in the United States.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SOTO SAKE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Roku Gin (Suntory):
- Suntory Whisky Toki: Suntory is the dominant Japanese spirits conglomerate (with Jim Beam) offering premium sake, Japanese whisky, and RTDs in the US. It competes indirectly for the same 'premium Japanese beverage' share of wallet that SOTO targets.
Emerging players
- Nude Sake: Nude is a newer, design-forward premium sake brand positioned for modern Western consumers, similar to SOTO's lifestyle-led approach. It targets overlapping DTC and on-premise premium accounts but with a younger, less proven distribution footprint.
- Kura Sake: Kura is a modern DTC-focused sake brand bringing premium Japanese sake to US consumers with an emphasis on education and pairings. It overlaps with SOTO's DTC, education-led go-to-market but at smaller scale.
Direct peers
- Sho Chiku Bai: Sho Chiku Bai is a Takara Sake USA brand marketing traditional and premium Junmai and Daiginjo sake to US consumers. It competes with SOTO for the same Japanese-American and broader premium sake consumer.
- Tozai Sake: Tozai imports and distributes premium Japanese sake (including the 'Snow Maiden' Junmai Daiginjo) in the US. Like SOTO, it focuses on premium positioning and US-targeted branding and distribution.
- Hakutsuru Sake: Hakutsuru is one of Japan's largest sake breweries and a major exporter of premium sake to the US. It competes with SOTO in the premium Junmai and Daiginjo categories at retail and foodservice.
- Ty Ku: Ty Ku is a US-based premium sake and Japanese spirits brand that, like SOTO, sells Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, and Junmai Daiginjo sake to American consumers through DTC, retail, and on-premise channels. It is the closest head-to-head competitor for premium sake shelf space and accounts.
- Gekkeikan Sake: Gekkeikan is a 300+ year-old Japanese sake producer with broad US distribution across premium and mainstream tiers. It overlaps directly with SOTO's premium Junmai and Daiginjo offerings in the same retail and restaurant accounts.
- Momokawa Sake: Momokawa produces premium Junmai, Ginjo, and Daiginjo sake specifically for the US market using premium rice and water. It competes directly with SOTO in the imported premium sake segment across retail and restaurant channels.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SOTO SAKE social profiles
Digital presenceSOTO SAKE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SOTO SAKE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SOTO SAKE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SOTO SAKE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SOTO SAKE
What does SOTO SAKE do?
SOTO SAKE produces and markets super-premium Japanese sake across three expressions (Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, Junmai Daiginjo) sourced from Niigata and Nagano prefectures using traditional brewing with rice, water, koji, and yeast. The company sells directly to consumers via sotosake.com and through a network of licensed third-party retailers and on-premise restaurants and bars across the United States. All products are all-natural, gluten-free, vegan, with no sulfites, preservatives, or added sugar.
Is SOTO SAKE a public or private company?
SOTO SAKE is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SOTO SAKE founded?
SOTO SAKE was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SOTO SAKE based?
SOTO SAKE is headquartered in Miami, United States, in the North America region.
How does SOTO SAKE make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Sales are the primary driver. The others are third-Party Retail Sales.
Who are SOTO SAKE's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Roku Gin (Suntory) and Suntory Whisky Toki. Emerging players are Nude Sake and Kura Sake. Direct peers are Sho Chiku Bai, Tozai Sake, Hakutsuru Sake, Ty Ku, Gekkeikan Sake and Momokawa Sake.
Does SOTO SAKE have an API?
No public API is recorded for SOTO SAKE.
What industry is SOTO SAKE in?
SOTO SAKE's product category is Premium Japanese Sake. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAF, Sake, Soju & Other Asian Alcoholic Beverages Producers & Brands, with a secondary code of AFAFAAAG, Sake & Traditional Rice Wine Production. Its SIC code is 5180.