Established in 1992 as a premium Japanese sake importer, SakéOne is committed to exclusively importing some of the finest Japanese sake offerings from producers representing many of Japan’s acclaimed sake producing prefectures.

In 1997 SakéOne tapped into the ideal waters of the Willamette Valley, procured exclusive rice grown in the renowned Sacramento Valley and began brewing sake in Forest Grove, Oregon. With an uncompromised spirit to produce the highest quality sake possible, SakéOne soon became America’s first successful craft sake producer. Twenty-six years later, Master Brewer Takumi Kuwabara continues to expand on that brewing expertise, melding a diversity of cultures into dynamic award-winning handcrafted sake.

From the very beginning, SakéOne has been committed to broadening the enjoyment of premium Japanese and American sake worldwide.

Steve’s roots in Oregon and in the wine industry run deep. A native Oregonian, Steve’s parents founded Oak Knoll Winery – one of Oregon’s pioneering wineries – in 1970. After graduating in 1981 with a Bachelors Degree in Business and Marketing from Portland State University, he formally joined the family winery as Sales & Marketing Director. He successfully transitioned the winery from a fruit & berry winery to a Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris focused company and took over managing the company as its President & CEO in 1988. Throughout the 1980s and ‘90s, Steve tirelessly worked to promote Oregon wine as a product and Oregon wine country as a destination. During these years he served as Board President of the Washington County Visitors Association, Board President of the Washington County Winery Association, Board President of the International Pinot Noir Celebration, Steering Committee Chairman of the Salud Oregon Pinot Noir Auction, and as Treasurer of the Oregon Wine Marketing Coalition.

In 2002 Steve moved on to Erath Vineyards Winery as its General Manager/Sales Manager. Four years later the winery had nearly tripled in size and was purchased by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 2006. During his stint at Erath, he served as Board President of Oregon Pinot Camp, and as a Board member of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association. After spending a year consulting for several Oregon wineries he joined Corus Estates & Vineyards in 2008 as General Manager of its 12th & Maple Wine Company – a state-of-the-art custom crush facility in Dundee, Oregon. With the desire to return to a leadership position, Steve accepted the role of President & CEO of SakéOne Corporation in August 2009.