Episode 2

full
Published on:

11th Apr 2022

Spilling the Sparkling on New Zealand Wine in Japan with Carl Robinson

Did you know that one out of every three bottles of New Zealand wine sold in Japan are from just one brand? Our latest Jandal in Japan pops the cork on New Zealand wine in the Japanese market. Carl Robinson shares with us his 25+ years of experience and wisdom of working in all aspects of the Japanese wine market. Grab a glass of your favourite tipple and join us!   

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode we’ll spill the sparkling on:

  • How Carl went from being a musician, to working in a bean sprout factory in Kyushu to joining the wine industry in Tokyo in the 90s
  • What is so special about the market in Japan for food and beverage that New Zealand businesses can take advantage of
  • Carl’s recipe for success in the Japanese market and what you can do to emulate it
  • What Carl sees in the future of Japan and the wine industry in particular

About Carl

Carl was born in Birkenhead, England and emigrated to Auckland New Zealand as a young child. He spent time in Auckland and London as a musician in a band. Carl lives in Tokyo with his wife Jeanette, a fellow Kiwi. Carl and Jeanette met at Auckland University and he came to Japan in 1991 for an extended honeymoon on a working holiday visa, first of all working in Kyushu, learning the language and getting immersed into Japanese culture. After another stint in London Carl attained his WSET wine qualifications and he and Jeanette both then returned to Japan in 1996 during a boom time for wines in Japan. Carl worked at Tokyo American Club (TAC) writing their wine program, training staff and was TAC’s wine buyer. He also taught the WSET wine course in Tokyo and wrote about wine for JAL inflight magazine and consulted to hotels for their wine lists. He created his own successful import company, Jeroboam in 2003 that celebrates 20 years in Japan in 2023. Carl now additionally heads up Cellar Door Aoyama, a Tokyo Fine wine Retailer and Restaurant and is CEO of Australasian wine importer Wine Diamonds and he also is part owner of Wine Diamonds New Zealand which imports, distributes and sells wine through its retail stores in Auckland and Wellington. Carl lives and breathes wine, and if there is anyone who knows about importing wine into Japan it’s Carl and he has deep insights to share on how to be successful in the land of the rising sun.  

Connect with Carl

Website: www.cellardoorfinewine.jp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cellardooraoyama/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cellardooraoyama 


Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwdbd0QSHSLlOSPcpceHOcA

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Are you loving Jandals in Japan so much you just want to buy Catherine and Jayne a beer/wine/coffee?

We know some people really want to show their appreciation and so now you can using the button below. In addition, you will join our VIJ list for our Very Important Jandals, who receive first invites to our in person events when they happen throughout the year.
Please note, contributions in $ = US$.
Support Jandals in Japan
A
We haven’t had any Tips yet :( Maybe you could be the first!

Listen for free

Show artwork for Jandals in Japan

About the Podcast

Jandals in Japan
Bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun
The best show about New Zealanders doing business in Japan, bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun
How do you build a brand in Japan and nurture a loyal customer base?
What do you need to have in your tool belt if you are thinking of coming to Japan to launch a business here?
Japan is often considered to be in the "too hard" basket but we are here to open up the black box of doing business in Japan.
We will share stories from successful Kiwis selling their products and services here in Japan.
They'll tell you their tips for success and pitfalls to avoid.
They'll share their challenges and what they did to overcome them.
They will tell you things you can't find in textbooks or on the internet.
We will also be sharing the latest intel and insights on Japan from our on-the-ground presence
And you'll hear some super business culture and other tips from us sprinkled throughout.
Grab a glass of sake and let's get into it.
Support This Show

About your hosts

Jayne Nakata

Profile picture for Jayne Nakata
Jayne Nakata is a Southland girl who arrived in Japan in 2002, planning to stay just two years. 20 years later she is still living in Fukushima Prefecture with her Japanese husband and two children. When the triple disaster hit in 2011, Jayne made the commitment to stay in Fukushima and contribute to rebuilding the area. She is the host of the award winning podcast Transformations with Jayne, which is a favourite with international women living in Japan. She is also the double award winning podcast producer and manager for PodLaunch with Jayne.

Catherine O’Connell

Profile picture for Catherine O’Connell
Originally from Christchurch, Catherine O'Connell has lived in Japan since 2002. Catherine has over 20 years working at brand-name Japanese corporations as legal counsel. In 2018, Catherine launched her own boutique law firm in Tokyo, which has become become a multi-award-winning business. She is Vice Chair of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Audit & Supervisory Board Member at TOYOTA Motor Corporation & FUJITSU Limited. As well as the Jandals in Japan Podcast, she hosts the award-winning Lawyer on Air Podcast.