MUFG Bank, Ltd. Program | Cultural Awareness Series 
From Vine to Glass | An Evening of Award-Winning Wine & Dinner

When it comes to wine, California needs little introduction; the state produces 90 percent of American wine and is the fourth-largest wine region in the world. What many may not realize is that Japanese and Japanese American winemakers have been integral to this story for well over a century, to shape California’s wine culture and establish legacies. This program, part of the Cultural Awareness Series, celebrates three exceptional family- and woman-owned wineries that blend tradition and innovation in their world-class vineyards: Freeman Vineyard & Winery, Kazumi Wines, and Mikami Vineyards. These small-production, award-winning wines are often served at high-profile events and are highly sought-after by aficionados, making this a rare opportunity to experience all three in one evening.

In this vibrant talk and tasting along with food pairings, guests will be virtually transported to sun-drenched slopes cooled by gentle maritime breezes, learning about the backstory of these remarkable producers and the diverse landscapes and techniques of California wine-making. Freeman Vineyard & Winery presents cool-climate “Akiko’s Cuvee” Pinot Noir and “Ryofu” Chardonnay, capturing silk-like textures, bright, nuanced flavors from the fog-laced hills of Sebastopol; their wines have been featured at the highest levels of international diplomacy, including a landmark White House State Dinner for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015, and more recently, a 2024 State Department luncheon celebrating the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Kazumi Wines introduces Napa Valley Koshu alongside Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, offering vibrant aromatics, lively minerality, and a subtle interplay of depth and finesse, a rare expression of Japanese heritage in California winemaking. Mikami Vineyards showcases hand-crafted Zinfandel and GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre), cultivated from a century-old vine in Lodi, delivering concentrated fruit, layered complexity, and a rich, lingering finish.

The evening culminates with a panel discussion featuring speakers from each vineyard, providing behind-the-scenes insights into their philosophies, craft, and heritage. Participants will then enjoy a thoughtfully curated tasting and food pairing, navigated by Sommelier Alice Hama, and catered by Soma Suisan, the acclaimed new L.A. restaurant founded by a famed tuna importer from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market. The menu of delectable bites is designed to highlight the distinctive character of each wine.

For aspiring wine experts and curious explorers alike, the program is a celebration of Japanese and Japanese American winemaking.

The organizers and venue assume no liability for any injury, loss, or damage related to alcohol consumption or event participation.

Photo Credits (in order): Courtesy of Freeman Vineyard & Winery (#1 & 2) | © Hiro Sogi Media (#3 – 5) | Courtesy of Mikami Vineyards (#6)

About the Speakers

Akiko Freeman

Winemaker, Freeman Vineyard & Winery
A native to Tokyo, Akiko attributes her love of wine to her grandfather, whose influence imbued her with a lifelong passion for the enigmatic beauty of great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. After earning her master’s degree in Italian Renaissance art history from Stanford in the mid-1990s, Akiko traveled throughout Europe and as far as South Africa to explore the great winemaking regions of the world. Returning to California in 1997, she worked with her husband Ken to realize their longtime dream of establishing a small, family-run winery dedicated to crafting expressive, cool-climate California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Today Akiko’s gifted palate guides every Freeman wine, every vintage. When she and Ken founded Freeman Vineyard & Winery in 2001, she immersed herself in the world of viticulture and winemaking, and apprenticed herself to renowned winemaker Ed Kurtzman. Akiko now oversees every aspect of Freeman’s winemaking program, from the organic farming of the estate vineyards and the selection of grower partners to fermentations, racking, lot evaluations and blending. Her vision and refined palate have positioned Freeman as one of the great benchmarks for cool-climate New World wines, while establishing Akiko as a winemaking talent in her own right.

Eiji Akaboshi

Associate Winemaker, Freeman Vineyard & Winery
Eiji Daniel Akaboshi has fond memories of his childhood in Chile, watching his father enjoy wine at the dinner table. Years later, while in college, he had a eureka moment when he realized that he could combine his major in biology with his passion for wine by pursuing a career in winemaking. After earning a master’s degree in enology from California State University Fresno, he began making wine in Napa and went on to gain experience at additional wineries in Napa and Sonoma counties. He has now spent 17 years as a winemaker.

Eiji first encountered Freeman Winery 10 years ago when he tasted the Freeman Pinot Noir and instantly fell in love with it. Now, a decade later, he has become part of the winemaking team, working alongside Akiko and Ken Freeman.
Eiji feels that fate had something to do with his arrival at Freeman; he is a descendant of Nagasawa Kanae, a Japanese immigrant who began making wine in Sonoma County around the turn of the 19th century and played an important role in the growth of California’s wine industry. In addition to English, Eiji speaks Spanish and Japanese.

Michelle Kazumi Sakazaki

Founder & Proprietor, Kazumi Wines
Michelle is the Japanese American founder of Kazumi Wines, known for crafting elegant, expressive wines that reflect both her creative background in fashion design and her deep experience in the wine industry. Born in California and raised in Tokyo, she later worked as a designer in Milan and New York before returning to Napa Valley, where she spent over a decade as General Manager of 90 Plus Wine Club. Her passion for wine, sparked in Italy and strengthened through global tastings and formal training, including a WSET Diploma and an MBA, continues to shape her refined, detail-driven approach.

In 2015, Michelle founded Kazumi Wines with small-lot Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon from premier Napa Valley vineyards. In 2021, she introduced an innovative milestone to the region by becoming the first U.S. producer to plant, harvest, and bottle Koshu, an ancient Japanese grape, in collaboration with her father, Jack Sakazaki, and winemaker Kale Anderson. Today, Michelle proudly shares her Napa Valley Koshu alongside her signature Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon—wines crafted to honor heritage, showcase terroir, and create meaningful moments around the table.

Jason Mikami

Owner, Mikami Vineyards
Jason was born and raised on the family estate. In his youth, his time was split between helping his father care for the vineyard and running around the vines throwing dirt clods and chasing jack rabbits. As he grew older, however, Jason learned from his father the key principles of fine grape growing: Hard work, Passion and Perseverance. In launching Mikami Vineyards wine, one of Jason’s primary goals is to produce a wine that embodies those principles.

A high-tech veteran, Jason has been a part of a number of groundbreaking technology services. Over the past two decades, Jason has helped deliver technologies such as mobile video, cloud storage systems, and interactive television. More recently, Jason has been part of the core infrastructure team at Uber Technologies.

Alice Hama

Sommelier and Wine Consultant
Alice is a Los Angeles–based sommelier and wine consultant. She holds multiple certifications in wine, sake, and culinary arts, and specializes in creating refined, story-driven food and beverage pairings.

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