Today, July 1st, marks the second anniversary of the opening of Bokumo Wine.
It's all thanks to our customers who support us, and to everyone involved with Boxmo Wine, including New Zealand wineries, importers, transportation companies, packaging material and printing companies.
Thank you so much for everything.
We would like to convey our thanks to our sommelier, Iwasu, and staff member Sato.
Thank you from sommelier Iwasu
Bokumo Wine, which started in July 2021 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, turned two years old.
This is all thanks to all of you who enjoy New Zealand wine on a daily basis. Thank you very much.
This is how I felt before I started.
"I know that New Zealand wine is very attractive, but there aren't many stores where I can easily buy it. So I thought I'd give it a try."
Here's how I feel now, two years later.
"There was definitely a demand! There were a lot of people across the country who wanted New Zealand wine!"
But I also think this.
"I want to reach out to more people. I want to introduce more types of New Zealand wine to more people."
There are still many brands that we have not introduced yet, and we would like to reach out to the many people across the country who are interested in New Zealand wine.
Of course, we would also like to be able to make even more attractive proposals to all of you who have supported us so far.
We will continue to bring you the deliciousness and fun of NZ wine.
We hope you will continue to support Bokumo Wine in its third year.
Thanks from staff member Sato
Two years have passed since we opened Bokumo Wine, and while it may seem like a quick time, it has certainly gone by quickly.
For the past two years, I have worked behind the scenes, constantly thinking about how I could spread sommelier Iwasu's love for New Zealand wine, how I could get more people to know about New Zealand wine, and how I could make the customers who bought our wine satisfied.
What went well and what didn't.
There is a lot of both, but overall I've had a lot of fun running this little shop.
There are many people who have been using our store ever since we started crowdfunding before we opened.
Of course, some of these people are old acquaintances and friends, but there are also many who are not, and I believe this is not just because they are buying wine, but because they are supporting the fact that there is a store specializing in New Zealand wine.
There are so many passionate New Zealand wine fans.
This is what encouraged us so much.
"The next big thing is New Zealand wine."
This is the name of the company we first created when we decided to open a New Zealand wine store.
It's a bit long, but I'll include the text I wrote at the time. Please read it.
Thank you very much for the past two years.
We look forward to your continued support into our third year and beyond.
...
"The next big thing is New Zealand wine."
In 2020, New Zealand wine accounted for 1% of the world's total wine production. It is ranked 11th among countries that import wine to Japan.
At the moment, it's not particularly noticeable.
But we do know that NZ wine is amazing.
His potential is so great, and I believe he will make a breakthrough in Japan in the near future.
Whether it's the taste, aroma, familiarity, or environmental friendliness, it's packed with elements that Japanese people find delicious and wonderful. It has a completely different character from wines from other countries.
New Zealand Master of Wine Sam Harrop says, "NZ wine is the future of fine wine in the world."
Yet, in Japan, few people are aware of this potential.
It's like a young musician with brilliant talent, overwhelmingly attractive, yet still undiscovered.
But we see a path for him to break out.
What is needed to achieve this is to communicate the appeal of New Zealand wine as best as possible.
If more people become aware of New Zealand wine, it will naturally catch fire. If its appeal spreads to the general public, there is a good chance that it will quickly become part of everyday life. This is because its potential is different from that of wines from other emerging countries.
Once we catch on, we can attract the attention of New Zealand producers and importers. With their cooperation, we can increase the amount of distribution in Japan by involving liquor stores, restaurants, and many drinkers. That will be our big break.
If that happens, everyone involved in the movement will be enriched and prosperous.
We, who have discovered the appeal of this industry first, can contribute to its development. We can gain a rewarding job and enrich our daily lives. There is nothing more wonderful than that.
That's why we're breaking New Zealand wine.
Nitas Co., Ltd.
NZ wine specialty store Bokumo Wine
Naoki Iwasu/Takashi Sato
