The Nakano brewery produces award-winning sake (rice wine), umeshu (plum wine) and spirits. Nakano is based in Wakayama prefecture, south of Osaka in Japan.

For those new to sake and umeshu, sake is brewed using polished rice, with the rice starches converting to alcohol. The alcohol content is similar to grape wine, typically at around 13% to 16%. Whereas umeshu (plum wine) is produced using the fruit ume, which is a Japanese plum variety known for its tartness.

Even though Nakano has grown to be the largest sake and umeshu producer in its region, it continues to use traditional production methods. Their sake is still hand-made under the watchful eye of the tōji (chief brewer). Nakano’s attention to their craft has seen their sake even commissioned for Kitchō, one of Japan’s most iconic restaurants (the ultra ginjō white label, available at Moore Wilson’s).

Wakayama is famous as Japan’s ‘fruit basket’ and is particularly famous for its ume fruit. In fact, “Wakayama umeshu” is a protected name in Japan, just like “Champagne” in France. This means that to be allowed to use the name, Nakano must use only local fruit, and meet standards like a minimum steeping period and fruit-to-liquid ratio.

To get maximum flavour and aroma in the umeshu, the ume fruit needs to be steeped in liquid as soon as possible after being picked. For this reason, Nakano insists that local farmers bring them only ume that have been picked that day. Then, on the same day, the team at Nakano will hand-sort and wash the fruit in water, before immersing them using a proprietary tiered system. All up, the aging process for Nakano umeshu is 12 months from the day the fruit is picked to when it’s ready to enjoy.

Nakano also likes to draw on its region’s rich heritage. You might notice a picture of a sailing vessel on their best-selling sake series. This is a tribute to Kinokuniya Bunzaemon, a local legend who made his fortune selling citrus to Edo (old Tokyo) in the 17th century.

Nakano’s NZ distributor, Evergreen Export, first imported Nakano sake to NZ in the early 1980s. Today, Evergreen aims to make Nakano’s quality sake and umeshu more accessible to a NZ audience. With the hope that they will not only enjoy the product, but that it will also give a window into Japanese craftsmanship and culture.

Umeshu Cocktail Recipes (3 Ways)

Soda Fizz

Mix soda and umeshu in equal parts and stir lightly. Serve chilled or over ice in a tall glass with a lemon or orange slice.

Umeshu Beer

Mix one part umeshu and two parts low malt beer and stir lightly. Serve chilled or over ice in a tall glass for an easy-drinking coktail. Beer suggestions: Asahi, or Garage Project Hatsukoi

Highball

Mix one part umeshu, one part whiskey and five parts soda. Stir lightly. Serve on ice in a whiskey tumbler. Garnish with one slice of lemon.

Recipe shared by Fix & Fogg
for Moore Wilson's 2022 Calendar

Fix & Fogg
Wellington
https://fixandfogg.com/

Molly Woppy began 20 years ago in the home kitchen of Alistair Parker and Hayley Molloy. Alistair was a chef in a top Auckland restaurant when customers started asking where they could purchase his fabulous biscotti that they’d all fallen in love with. That’s when they baked up a plan and Molly Woppy began. Juggling a baby, toddler, and full-time chef job, they made their biscotti at home and sold it into cafes.

Today they uphold the same quality and principles as when they first began. From their humble beginnings (think commercial oven in the home kitchen), Molly Woppy has grown into a loved and trusted kiwi brand. From melt-in-your-mouth shortbread to their iconic gingerbread, they are known for simple classic recipes like you would weigh, mix and scoop at home. Molly Woppy has always been an inclusive brand, recognising the need to cater to those often left out of the biscuit market. It has offered a much-loved gluten-free range since 2005. The recently released, award-winning, positively plant-based cookies were released in 2021 to rave reviews.

They are passionate about baking hand-crafted goods using ethical and locally sourced ingredients - NZ butter, free range eggs and real chocolate, but their most genuine and core ingredient is that they are 100% made with love. Their cookies are jammed-packed full of premium ingredients so that you fall in Love at First Bite® with them. They want every mouthful to be just as scrumptious as the next.

One of their core values is to be as sustainable as possible without compromising on quality. Supporting local and sharing the love is what Molly Woppy is all about. Their premium range of award-winning cookies has delighted Kiwis for the last 20 years, and they are excited about what’s next … of course, we know it will be 100% drool-worthy – watch this space!

From Miss Polly's new cookbook, Seriously Delicious. Available from our Tory Street Kitchenware department and Porirua store, and online for nationwide delivery.

Fix & Fogg began when founders, Roman and Andrea Jewell, made the choice to leave behind corporate life to dedicate their time and energy into creating something meaningful, sustainable, and delicious. They decided to make the “world's best nut butters”.

“We’re honoured that our nut butters have now won awards worldwide and we’re lucky enough to now have amazing stockists not only in New Zealand but across the world in Australia, the United States, China, Singapore, the Philippines, Samoa and even Tahiti!”

Fix & Fogg believe their award-winning nut butters are so popular because people can taste the difference in a product that’s made by people who care about quality and innovation.

Fix & Fogg's mission is about trying new things, improving the community and making beautiful nut butters. They're nuts about other things too. Such as working with charities supporting vulnerable communities, as they believe in giving back to the community that supports them.

Fix & Fogg believe in doing their bit for the environment and are proud to be the first New Zealand owned food manufacturer to be awarded B Corp certification. Fix & Fogg places a big focus on reducing food waste, our carbon footprint and recycling. Fix & Fogg products are NON-GMO, vegan friendly and Palm Oil Free since forever.

Fix & Fogg support charities for vulnerable communities such as food banks, city missions across New Zealand (and now the USA) and women’s refuge. They're also proud to be one of only a few food manufacturers in New Zealand that is Living Wage accredited. Because Fix & Fogg believe, happy people make the best nut butters.

GREYSTONE WINES: New Zealand's first winery to be certified carbon zero!

From Waipara, North Canterbury, Greystone is the first winery in New Zealand to be certified net carbon zero. Also certified organic with BioGro and practising regenerative viticulture, but above all Greystone are known for producing a broad range of handcrafted, exceptional and completely delicious wines!

After searching the world for the perfect place to grow cool-climate wines, the Thomas family established Greystone Vineyard on the slopes of the Teviotdale hills in the Waipara Valley in 2004.

In 2007 the first wine was produced from there and over the years Greystone has grown amid accolades and acclaim to be recognised as one of New Zealand’s best wineries. The owners love the region and with their wines, aim to capture the essence of this site and reflect this in every bottle of Greystone.

Greystone draws its name from the unique limestone conglomerate that we find as the bedrock on which our vine roots grow in. A limestone mix of fossils, sea shells and small pebbles that have been fused together through the seismic movement of North Canterbury. Over time this ancient seabed has been pushed and folded upwards to form the Teviotdale Hills.

Greystone believe true fine wines are temporal, each vintage a fleeting snapshot of a place in time. They don’t seek to manipulate the final product with additives or flavourings – instead allow a true interpretation of the soil, vines and season to shine through.

Greystone revel in protecting the land. The many ecological benefits of organic practices include healthy soils, healthy waterways, biodiversity, and a safe place for bees and other beneficial insects. The use of natural products throughout production provides a safe and happy work environment for their dedicated team. “We see our commitment to organic winegrowing as a bigger picture collaboration with our plant towards a more stable climate and sustainable ecosystem.”

At Moore Wilson’s we sell a range of Greystone wines including their Pétillant Naturel, a non-disgorged natural bubbles that is intensely refreshing with fresh and lively aromatics of pineapple, lemon balm and citrus fruits.  This wine is thought by Greystone to perfectly capture the limestone soils of their hillside block.

Recipe shared by Premium Game
for Moore Wilson's 2022 Calendar

Premium Game
Blenheim
https://www.premiumgame.co.nz/

Recipe shared by Wairarapa Eggs
for Moore Wilson's 2022 Calendar

Wairarapa Eggs
Carterton, Wairarapa
https://wairarapaeggs.co.nz/

TOHU WINES: The World's First Maori Owned Winery

In 1998, the world’s first Maori-owned wine business was established as Tohu Wines. Today Tohu Wines operates as an independent company under the umbrella of Kono, the food and beverage arm of Wakatu Incorporation.

The first vineyard was planted in 2002 in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough and in 2005, another in the Moutere region outside Nelson. Tohu established their own winery in the Awatere Valley in 2012.

As a family owned business, it is important to Tohu to uphold the legacy of its owners and their ancestors in its practice. The ancestors of the Tohu whanau were farmers, fishermen, planters, and providores. They were astute, creative and entrepreneurial. Tohu Wines make sure to enhance the resources and whenua passed down through generations.

Today, Tohu create internationally recognised award-winning wines, all while remaining true to their deeply held values which include hihiritanga, kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga – doing things better, guardianship, and caring.

The winemaking philosophy is to create wines that capture the flavours of each region’s unique landscapes, whilst upholding respect and protection of the land for future generations.

The vineyards are certified under Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, and this as an integral part of the values under-pinning the whole operation - working with the environment without compromising quality and integrity.

Tohu’s values of excellence, kindness, and innovation are clearly reflected in their  wines. Whether it's a family lunch, wedding or even a Matariki celebration, Tohu produces wines perfect for any occasion. Moore Wilson’s has been selling Tohu wines since 2014. The current Tohu wines stocked at Moore Wilson’s include: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Rewa Rosé Methode Traditionelle.

NŌLA Candles are brand of natural , plant-based, soy wax candles made in the Wairarapa. They are a collection of hand-crafted artisan candles; unique enough to intrigue and yet familiar enough to feel like home.

NŌLA was founded by Olivia Trilford during her pregnancy with her twin daughters, Isla & Noah. Olivia launched NŌLA Candles a month before her daughters were born and the brand has grown along beside them.

Due to being pregnant while perfecting the recipes of her candles, Olivia committed to consciously sourcing ingredients that would burn safely and cleanly in peoples homes (and also around young ones).

NŌLA Candles are made with a natural plant based soy wax, free from paraffin, GMO and unnatural additives which not only results in a clean burning candles, but an environmentally friendly choice as well. NŌLA Candles work exclusively with phthalate-free formulated oils & all of their ingredients are vegan and cruelty-free.

Olivia believes lighting a candle is a ritualistic way to end a stressful day and create a relaxing safe space. NŌLA Candles aim to offer this ambience from their small, local and ethical business.

Beyond their low waste initiatives and environmental focus in their workshop, NŌLA Candles make a great effort to offset their carbon emissions. They have chosen to do so because there unavoidable costs of Earth that many businesses refuse to acknowledge. NŌLA Candles offsetting their carbon emissions as a small business encourages the shift towards businesses taking accountability and acting in more sustainable ways.

NŌLA Candles also donate 10% of their profits to The Neonatal Trust, a charity that means a lot to Olivia’s young family. Her daughter’s were premature; and as challenging as this experience was, their family is forever grateful to the people who helped them through that time.

Check out our wonderful range of NŌLA Candles and diffusers here at Moore Wilson’s.