According to the present invention, there is provided a novel carbonyl reductase derived from a microbial belonging to the genus Ogataea and a DNA encoding the enzyme. By reducing ketones with the use of the carbonyl reductase, optically active alcohols, in particular, (E)-7-[2-cyclopropyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-quinolin-3-yl]-3,5-dihydroxy-hept- -6-enoic acid esters can be produced. The carbonyl reductase according to the present invention is excellent in activity and stereoselectivity. Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a process for producing optically active alcohols, which are industrially useful as intermediate materials for drugs, pesticides, etc.