She is the spark of a quiet revolution—a reawakening in the world of wine and spirits.
This revolution wasn’t designed; it was born from instinct. Perhaps it comes from a gene passed down through her grandfather’s bloodline, igniting an innate curiosity and sensitivity toward all forms of alcohol—from wine to sake, from ingredients to expression.
For Libby Tseng, cooking is a language, and taste is her paintbrush. She has an intuitive sharpness for ingredients and aromas. Every time she cooks, it's a form of dialogue. The ingredients tell her what they need, and she responds—pairing them with just the right wine or sake. When wine speaks of emotion, she answers with cuisine. These pairings are not based on rational calculation, but on a deep, sensory composition.
One day, as she looked over her kitchen table covered in scribbled pairing notes, she asked herself, “If this is what I love doing every day, why not make it my life’s work?”
That moment marked a turning point. She dove into professional study and rigorous certifications, earning international qualifications in wine, sake, and shochu. From learner to educator, she evolved into an entrepreneur with a mission: to transform alcohol education into a platform for cultural connection and empowerment.
She founded the Jiou Jiu Shang Wine & Sake Academy, a sanctuary where taste meets history, and where spirits—both literal and metaphorical—intertwine. More than just a tasting room, the Academy is a cultural bridge.
Libby is neither a winemaker nor just a tasting expert. She is someone who elevates alcohol from a commodity to a cultural language, infusing wine and sake with narrative, emotion, and feminine strength.
In her classes, students learn more than tasting techniques. They explore craftsmanship, terroir, and the beliefs passed down through generations. Libby’s storytelling captivates—she might say, “This bottle is the first time in fifty years this brewery attempted brewing without temperature control, relying only on the breeze through the window and the breath of old walls.” Students sip slowly, tasting not just flavor, but legacy.
Libby Tseng is not just a teacher—she embodies a new feminine archetype: elegant yet firm, sensitive yet decisive. Using wine as her medium, she creates cross-cultural, cross-linguistic dialogue. In her hands, wine becomes more than a beverage—it becomes a language of emotion, history, and connection.
Her philosophy is grounded in four values:
Authenticity: Believing that genuine taste and expression move hearts.
Connection: Using wine to link land, memory, and emotion, helping people rediscover themselves.
Courage: Trusting intuition and persisting through transformation.
Creativity: Transcending boundaries and rewriting the culinary language of the table.
But education was only the beginning. Understanding that culture must take root to thrive, Libby went further and founded her own import brand—Yamamori Inc.
Yamamori is not just a trading company. It’s a practice of her beliefs. Through repeated visits to sake breweries and shochu distilleries, she personally connects with master brewers and distillers, tasting every drop, understanding every terroir, and choosing only what resonates with authenticity and soul.
When brewery owners began to ask, “Do you know a trustworthy importer?” she realized she no longer needed to search for one—she had become that answer.
She selects soulful, often overlooked wines and spirits and brings them to the U.S., pairing them not only with food but with context—with the right restaurants, people, and moments. Each bottle tells a story of perseverance, heritage, and craftsmanship. Libby ensures these stories are not confined to rural Japan or Europe but are brought to life on a global stage.
She has the rare gift of hearing what ingredients and wines whisper. She doesn’t just match them—she deconstructs boundaries and reads the arc of every flavor, using wine to finish what words cannot.
Her talent transcends culture. She pairs Yamagata sake with Los Angeles Korean BBQ and Bordeaux red with modern Asian cuisine, creating surprising harmony. In her world, the dining table becomes a canvas—where taste is the art.
Now, her journey enters a bold new chapter in Old Town Pasadena.
Launching in Fall/Winter 2025, Libby’s newest project,
“寅IN”, in collaboration with FaithOcean Inc., will be a multi-dimensional cultural platform. This concept store will integrate Japanese sake and shochu exhibitions, global wine pairings, contemporary art, fine dining, and immersive education.
“寅IN” will feature a Japanese Sake and Wine Culture Museum, a brewing craftsmanship zone, design-focused wine vessel collections, private dining, and cross-cultural workshops. Each pairing experience will be personally curated by Libby and her chef team, transforming drinking into a journey—where soul, flavor, and art meet.
What sets “ 寅IN” apart is its spirit of accessibility without compromise. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or simply curious, whether you arrive in designer heels or worn-in sneakers—this space invites everyone to enjoy a refined, high-end experience. At “寅IN,” sophistication is not about wealth, but about openness, curiosity, and respect for culture.
Libby believes true luxury is not exclusive—it’s immersive, meaningful, and shared. And in this spirit, “ 寅 IN” will offer not only taste and elegance, but also warmth, welcome, and discovery for all.
Learn more: www.faithoceaninc.com
ISSUE 25 AVAILABLE
In this 25th edition of the ACCA Journal, we are honored to shine a spotlight on outstanding artists and entrepreneurs who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields. Read the Issue. Purchase the Issue.