The inaugural Hana Umami California Festival was hosted by Masahiro-san of Excel Sound, Hiroshi-san of Youtek, and Musical Surroundings. Attendees included Hana distributors and reviewers from around the world, including Michael Fremer and Andre Jennings of The Absolute Sound.
This global celebration honored 55 years of Excel Sound and introduced their new flagship cartridge, the Hana Umami Black. Held in Healdsburg, the epicenter of Sonoma wine country, the festival featured the Hana G-6 Summit, Umami Black listening sessions, food and wine tastings, and a live jazz concert by the Marcus Shelby Quintet.
But it’s more than a celebration — the Umami Festival marked the launch of our new vision: Umami Sound — Wonderful Taste in Music.
This event served as an early touchpoint for the Umami Sound, which extends beyond high-end audio to resonate with creative communities — chefs, winemakers, and artisans — who share a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and sensory experience. Many already enjoy vinyl, yet may not have fully discovered its true Umami qualities.
Our goal is to share and celebrate the exceptional sound and character that define Hana phono cartridges, quality analog music, and the art of high-end audio.
