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 Testimonials
Sake Professional Course
See Sake Professional Course for 2008 Itinerary.
See Sake Pro 2006 for some photos.
 Andre Bishop (2007)
Owner, Izakaya Chuji Japanese Restaurant Chain, Melbourne, Australia
One with the lot! John Gauntner's Sake Professional Course is the one stop,
be-all and end-all, look no further, insight into the world of sake. From the basics through to the nitty gritty, all points
are covered and it's one hell of a ride. During the first section of the course, each day participants are skillfully guided through the tastings and technical in the
classroom, then masterfully unleashed into the world of izakayas and sake bars at night to put their newfound knowledge to the test. John is always there for you, with
his limitless knowledge and unyielding passion for one of the world's great drinks. His expertly prepared class notes, extensive tasting hints and well considered evening
haunts make this course a must do for anyone who has more than passing interest in sake. The excursions into the world of sake brewing and the kura visits are worth their
weight in gold, an experience you would not be able to enjoy by any other means.
 Trevor Fleming, Lesley Kehoe Galleries, Austraila
I am the gallery manager for Lesley Kehoe Galleries, dealers in fine Japanese works of art. In January 2007 I was fortunate enough to attend the sake
professional course in Tokyo. The course was a thorough and enlightened introduction to the many guises of Nihonshu. Unlike many of the attendees, I am not involved
professionally in the beverage industry however this was no barrier to John presenting a clear and balanced presentation of the available information. The range of sake on
tasting was extensive and represented a huge variety of styles. I came away from the course on massive high and would not hesitate in recommending this course. Become a 酒人 (sake person) !!
Beau Timken (2003)
Owner/operator of True Sake, the first sake-only retailer in the United States
If you are ready to take the next step in your fascination and love of
sake the only way to go is up with John Gauntner. Consider the
professional sake tasting course a graduate education as you explore the
essence of sake from such an elevated perspective. This course tied in a
perfect blend of understanding, appreciation and sheer fascination. Sake is
indeed and art form and the professional sake tasting program provided me
the proverbial ability to "pull the curtain back on the wizard" in terms
of understanding the nuances and quirks that make this industry what it
is. Whether you are a beginner or self-taught junky the SPC provides you
the rarest of all perspectives on the inner-workings of an age-old
profession that is exploding onto the global stage. John Gauntner is a
once-in-a-lifetime tour guide and professor wrapped up in an enjoyable and
personable package. In a word the professional sake tasting program is
purely 'enjoyable' and an experience that will energize you for the rest
of your life.
Kjetil Jikiun (2006)
Head Brewer, Nøgne Ø,
Det Kompromissløse Bryggeri AS, Norway
I participated in John Gauntner's Sake Professional Course January 2006.
In my perception, this is the best way for a non Japanese speaker to get a proper understanding of sake, and I would strongly recommend anyone with a dedicated
interest in sake to take this course. It is however, important to take the whole course, including the visits to the various breweries, as this gives a broader understanding of the
cultural and technical aspects of sake and sake brewing.
The 5 days of which my course took place, was extremely tiring, as the day's itinerary
was packed. This is however a good thing, as I felt I did nothing but living, thinking and doing sake for 5 days.
I cannot write about this course, without mentioning the dinners which followed every day
's classes. This included everything from restaurants to Izakayas where the meals, the sake and the atmosphere were absolutely wonderful.
Nancy Cushman (2006)
Proprietor & Sake Sommelier of
O Ya Restaurant in Boston, MA
If you've been bitten by that alluring sake bug like I was ten years ago, and you want to
take a deeper dive into this "drink of the gods" for your professional development or purely as a personal quest, take John Gauntner's Sake Professional Course. As an avid
sake enthusiast and restaurateur, I found tremendous value in this course. Over the intensive course, John will guide you through an engaging tour of this wonderful
beverage that is as complex and fascinating as wine - - from the history and tradition thousands of years old, to visits to modern day sake brewers where you will have the
privilege of seeing the brewing process in action. The "classroom" education is reinforced by tastings of numerous sakes. John's anecdotes and stories, collected over
decades of his immersion in the sake world, add vivid texture to the course. And of course, it is sake after all, so your fellow classmates are pretty much guaranteed to be
fun and come from a host of interesting backgrounds.
If you like sake, love sake, want to learn about it for your professional or personal
development, or even have a slight interest in digging deeper than admiring those beautiful labels, take the Sake Professional Course.
Elise Gee (2006)
Sake Educator, Vancouver
Considering whether to take John Gauntner's Sake Professional Course is a no brainer. When you complete the course, you'll be a sake aficionado schooled by one
of the great sake experts in the world, who'll have personally guided you through numerous tastings and brewery tours in Japan. It's a unique opportunity not to be missed by anyone with a keen interest in sake.
John's passion for sake is evident in his books and articles, which are wonderfully written and informative, but they're nothing compared to being in the same room
listening to this guy talk. From the basics of how sake is made, to the nitty-gritty of yeast strains, to his many enjoyable sake anecdotes and observations, John's enthusiasm is palpable and inspiring.
It was remarkable to meet others--from different countries and walks of life--and bond via our mutual love of sake. It made me realize just how far-reaching this drink's popularity
and influence has spread outside of Japan.
The course allowed me to truly understand, by seeing first-hand, the depth of tradition
and care that goes into the craft of sake-making, which has only further enhanced my interest and appreciation for nihonshu.
Rick Smith & Hiroko Furukawa (2007)
Sakaya...New York's first shop specializing in sake
Hiroko and I couldn't have had a more thorough immersion in all aspects of
sake than that which we experienced at with the SPC this past January in Tokyo. I can't imagine how any course on sake could have been more comprehensive and, equally
important was that the material was presented in the most articulate, easily understandable and absorbable fashion...not so easy for a subject fraught with
complexity and inextricably intertwined with thousands of years of Japanese culture. This is THE definitive course of study for anyone who is passionate about sake and/or
involved with serving or selling it. We cannot thank you enough for giving us the foundation necessary to launch our shop in NYC!
David A. Roth (2007)
General Manager Koji -Yakitori - Sake - Bar, Hartford CT.
John's course is a must for anyone interested in sake. I strongly suggest
getting in as soon as possible because the interest in sake and John's classes get's bigger every year. His approach to teaching the ways of sake is down to earth and very
comprehensive. I use what I have learned on a daily basis with my staff and clientelle. It was an honor to be in the presence of someone so knowledgable and so humble. It is
easy to see why the Japanese sake community loves him so. I look forward to taking the advanced class in Febuary of 2008. Thank you John for being a wonderful sensei and a hell of a guy.
Todd Eng (2007)
Owner-operator of soon-to-be-opened sake pub in SF
" ***** out of five!" I laughed, I cried, I drank sake until it came out of my ears!
John Gauntner's sake professional course is unlike anything else out there, a delicious and intensely focused, yet thoroughly enjoyable exploration into the world of sake. I
came away with a far deeper appreciation, not just for sake, but for Japanese culture and cuisine as well. Highly recommended.
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