We invested in HANA Makgeolli given the opportunity to participate in the burgeoning growth and development of not just a brand, but an entire category of rice wines in the US. As a historical analog, US consumption of sake grew tremendously in the early 2000’s, coinciding with the mass popularization of Japanese food and culture. We believe a similar opportunity exists for Makgeolli as Korean cuisine continues to build momentum within the broader world of gastronomy. HANA also aligns itself with the values of the natural wine movement, which has developed considerable traction in recent history as the industry moves towards rediscovering traditional production methods. Makgeolli has a rich heritage as one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in Korea, and we believe there is a deep and meaningful story to be shared through HANA’s fundamental brewing practices. The brand is led by two incredibly thoughtful individuals. Alice’s technical expertise in the production process is only matched by her grand vision and passion for the ‘sool’ category as a whole. Meanwhile, John serves as the commercial backbone of the operation, leveraging a depth of experience in the private sector that we believe is crucial to the business’ success. Building a brand requires much more than a solid product – to succeed, you need the right team, and the right story. We believe HANA reflects the attributes of everything we look for in a high growth business, and we are incredibly excited to be a part of this journey.