Sake Fundamentals with Satoshi Tanaka @ You + Me Cafe

At So What, we are always trying to diversify some of our course offerings. So when we learned that Sake expert Satoshi Tanaka was willing to take time during his short visit to Minnesota to teach a class for So What, we jumped at this opportunity. Satoshi has cultivated a dynamic career spanning marketing, brand management, and the development of export programs for esteemed wineries in Napa and beyond. During one of these ventures, he was introduced to the world of innovative craft sakes—a chance encounter that reshaped his understanding of the category. What he once viewed as a centuries-old tradition revealed itself as a vibrant and evolving art form, where generations of expertise meet the bold creativity of today’s artisanal brewers. His perspective on this ancient craft transformed when seen through the lens of contemporary Japanese artisans, unveiling a harmonious fusion of heritage and modernity. As a Japanese immigrant, Satoshi has embraced a personal mission: to bring these