CH’NG Poh Tiong
Founder of SAKUWA Japan Women’s Wine Awards Yumi Tanabe was awarded Chevalier de L’order du Merite Agricole and Officier de L‘Ordre du Mérite Agricole by French government in 2009 and 2024 respectively for her contribution to extend wine culture in Japan
Founded by Wine Writer & Educator Yumi Tanabe in 2014, SAKURA Japan Women’s Wine Awards (SAKURA JWWA) is the first international wine competition judged solely by women. The judging panels include sommeliers, winemakers, educators, journalists, F&B management, wine buyers and distributors.
The 12th edition SAKURA JWWA 2025 received an impressive 3,962 wine entries from 36 countries. The judging panel awarded:
- 242 Double Gold medals
- 1,187 Gold medals
- 862 Silver medals
In addition, 64 outstanding Double Gold winners were honoured with the “Diamond Trophy”, recognising their exceptional craftsmanship and quality.
Tokyo Judging Day on 28 January 2025 at Hotel Gajoen
Osaka Judging Day on 4 February 2025 at Hotel Nikko
This year, the SAKURA JWWA introduced two new categories to align with changing consumer preferences. They are “Low Alcohol Wine” and “Non-Alcoholic Wine”.
The response was overwhelming, with 45 entries in the low-alcohol category and 51 entries in the non-alcoholic category. There are 27 low-alcohol wines and 18 non-alcoholic wines took home awards.
The highest honour of the competition, the “Grand Prix” Woman Winemaker of the Year 2025, was awarded to Chie Sakata, Cellarmaster of Bernhard Koch in Pfalz, Germany. Her winning wine Dornfelder Trocken 2021 is made from the native German Dornfelder grape.
Chie Sakata, Cellarmaster of Bernhard Koch, is “Grand Prix” Woman Winemaker of the Year 2025
On 23 April 2025, the SAKURA JWWA Grand Tasting will take place at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo. This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity to taste the award-winning wines from the SAKURA Japan Women’s Wine Awards.
