About Us

YUMESATO FARM HONKAKU UMESHU

(Japanese Plum Wine)

Yumesato means “Country Dream”

The Ume used to make this product is grown on our orchard situated near Christchurch. We developed the land from grass into the orchard planting around 1300 mixed shelter trees to provide protection from the wind and habitat including early nectar source for birds. Irrigation was installed with each tree having its own sprinkler to target irrigation and minimise water usage.

The climate is characterised by hot dry days and cool nights resulting in unique, intense flavours in our ume. We grow Nanko Ume the premier Japanese variety without sprays on the fruit. The climate means fungal disease is not really an issue, neither are insects. The cool climate sometimes means spring frosts damage the young fruit leading to significant crop losses. We are experimenting with water sprays to mitigate frost damage.

This Umeshu is made by steeping our ume in sugar based alcohol (as opposed to grain or dairy based alcohol) along with organic sugar to draw out the flavours resulting in a delicate sweet/sour flavour with aromas of ume fruit.

We are excited to be producing Umeshu a traditional Japanese beverage in New Zealand

Masako and Rodney Fisher