Cristina Volpi has always been passionate about Japan and Japanese culture. After many trips to Asia, where sake is a central element of conviviality, she decided to deepen her knowledge by becoming a Certified Sake Sommelier with the Sake Sommelier Association (SSA). She is also a certified judge at the Milano Sake Challenge.

Co-founder of Kitsune Trading Sagl in Mendrisio, Switzerland; Cristina became an SSA Sake Educator in 2023 to offer official Sake Sommelier courses in Switzerland. On 2025, she successfully completed the SSA’s Advanced Sake Sommelier Course in Japan, working directly with the renowned Tatenokawa Shuzo brewery in Yamagata, gaining hands-on experience in one of Japan’s most prestigious sake environments.

Founded in 2021, Kitsune Trading Sagl promotes Japanese culture through sake by curating a refined selection of premium labels available in Switzerland. The company also provides consulting services for restaurants and clubs and organizes tasting experiences for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to explore this fascinating and complex world.