Brand Story

Founder Libby Tseng originally established a professional wine and sake education institute—Jiu Jiu Shang (酒久賞). Through years of teaching and cultural promotion, she built deep relationships with wineries and sake breweries around the world. These connections eventually inspired her to expand into the import business, leading to the creation of Yamamori (山盛)—a brand devoted to curating rare, distinctive, and high-quality sake, shochu, and wines from across the globe.

Libby’s selections are shaped by her personal journeys and meaningful exchanges with producers. She has traveled across Japan to visit local sake breweries, learning directly from Toji (master brewers), and explored renowned wine regions in France, Italy, South Africa, and beyond to experience terroir firsthand. These immersive experiences helped her craft a personal collection—not guided by fame, but by philosophy, flavor, and craftsmanship.

Over time, students and guests began asking:
“Where can I buy this bottle?”
“Will you start importing these yourself?”
These questions sparked a realization: it was time to introduce these remarkable bottles to a wider audience. Libby envisioned herself not merely as a supplier, but as a trusted cultural bridge.

In collaboration with Faith Ocean Inc., she launched a culture-driven brand journey. Yamamori symbolizes both abundance and care—reflecting the dedication behind each bottle she selects.

Libby holds a particular expertise in ZIGSAKE (地酒), or regional craft sake. From the snowy landscapes of Niigata to the quiet villages of Kyushu, she seeks out unique, small-batch brews that capture the spirit of place and maker.

To her, sake is far more than a companion to Japanese cuisine. Through her classes and curated events, she introduces sake pairings with Korean BBQ, French cuisine, desserts, and more—challenging assumptions and revealing sake’s elegance and versatility.

Now, Libby is launching a new project in Old Town Pasadena, Los Angeles:

“寅 IN”—a multidimensional cultural space that blends wine and sake retail, a cultural museum, art exhibitions, private dining, and educational programs.

“This isn’t just a place to drink,” Libby says. “It’s a place to pause, reflect, and connect with culture and art. A space to give yourself the gift of one glass of time.”

“IN” will feature artisanal drinkware collections, intimate dining experiences, art shows, fashion events, yoga classes, and partnerships with sake associations to build a contemporary platform for cultural promotion.

For Libby, wine and sake can be part of daily life—or an expression of poetry.

“I wake up at 6 a.m. to study Japanese,” she laughs, “just so I can communicate more deeply with the artisans.” Like a sixth-grader memorizing vocabulary, she finds joy in the effort.

“Wine is art. It enters your eyes, your mouth, your mind—and eventually transforms you.”
This is not just what she teaches, but how she lives. She believes that culture must be grounded to endure.

Through Yamamori and 寅 IN, she infuses education, aesthetics, and memory into every detail. It’s not just about selling wine and sake—it’s about storytelling, connection, and cultural preservation.

This journey begins with a single glass.


From palate to heart, from individual to world—
Libby Tseng and her team are writing a new chapter in contemporary drinking culture, one flavor at a time.