The popularity of sake is steadily growing in the heartland and part of that popularity is placed directly in the lap of television. It's believed that an interest in all things Japanese was fostered by the 1980's television drama "Shogun." Also, California's interest in healthy, international cuisine has aided in the popularity of sake.

Gekkeikan Sake has annual sales of $4 million and they produce 160,000 cases of sake a year.

California's climate is just right for making sake because of cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. There is a plentiful supply of water. And credit "claypan" soils with providing rice farmers the perfect land on which to grow their rice varieties.

If you would like a taste of this traditional Japanese wine you can contact their Folsom facility by calling their tasting room. Their phone number is

(916) 985-3111. You will be pleasantly surprised at the many varieties of sake Gekkeikan is brewing to entice the tastes of heartland residents.