The Mid-Atlantic Kosher Wine Scene

Not quite Napa, but we got some exciting stuff going on 

https://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/kosher-wine-buzz-in-the-mid-atlantic/

Good list of free wine courses here

I took the Rioja course, it was pretty good. Studying for the test.. 

https://www.vsf.wine/post/free-resources-online-wine-japanese-sak%C3%A9-courses?

Deep interview with Napa's Hagafen winemaker and founder

 Josh London does what he does so well- extensive thorough discussion with Ernie Weir of Hagafen - Jewish Link Wine Guide cover story.

"For over 50 years, Ernie Weir has been a quiet force in Napa Valley winemaking. Now, as he approaches his 52nd vintage in the Napa Valley, his influence remains as strong as ever. As the founder and winemaker of the award-winning Hagafen Cellars, he helped redefine kosher wine, proving that it can be world-class. But beyond the labels and accolades, Weir is a man with a deep love for viticulture, a connection to Israel, and a perspective shaped by decades in the industry." Read more:

And do subscribe to Josh's substack - check that out here:

Exciting Maryland Kosher wine news!

First Maryland kosher certified winery! 

Family permeates everything at Loew Vineyards near Libertytown.

Rachel Loew Lipman is a fifth-generation winemaker and meadmaker who oversees the operation.

She said she hopes to pay tribute to the vineyard that bears her grandparents’ name by becoming the first certified kosher — in line with Jewish law — winery in the state of Maryland

read more:

https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/agriculture/first-certified-kosher-winery-in-maryland-looks-to-keep-memories-alive/article_9977be27-1f72-50d0-abcf-f86a177c88b5.html?

Kenny goes deep on Kleinrerer

I am very much looking forward to try the Pinot when it comes out. 

https://kesociety.com/2025/04/30/the-birth-of-a-winemaker-sagie-kleinlerer-kleinlerer-wines/?

Negev Wineries Map

 Cool map, mentioned in article by Adam Montefiore and online at Negevwine.co.il, a good site for information about wineries of the south of Israel.

Seder Wine Options, Kennie and Reb Yisroel

Podcast and list from the Kosher Wine Podcast

Seder Wine recommendations Kosher Wine Unfiltered

Avi Davidowitz goes Israel only his year, here are his recommendations. 

Kosher Wine Podcast has a great interview with Gabriel Geller

 Kosher Wine Podcast has a great interview with Gabriel Geller, mentor to so many in the kosher world of wine.

Who knew that one of Gabe's early jobs was working for Netofa?  Fascinating details about the sale of Israeli wines in the broader non-kosher market.  Lots more!

Annual Jewish Link Wine Guide 2025 is out!

 Flipbook link here, web site here: Kudos Elizabeth  Kratz and judges and writers.

Indigenous Israeli Grapes

Good article here about many of the new wines being made from ancient indigenous grapes in Israel. 

Gulping Down Seder Wine

Do you really need to chug those four cups? 

Rabbi Drew Kaplan discusses in his weekly Kiddish Club Parsha Sheet

https://jewishdrinking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/28-29-March-2025-Oneg-Shabbas.pdf

South Africa's Essa Wine Co gets some top scores.

 

South Africa's Essa Wine Co gets some top scores and a nice profile of Josh Rynderman, winemaker.  

"In a Business Day feature on 5 February 2025, leading wine critic Michael Fridjhon gave five kosher wines from ESSA Wine Co. the highest scores in a blind taste test. Headlined “Kosher wines hold their own among SA peers”, the article detailed how ESSA wines stood out against their non-kosher contemporaries....

As they operate on a small scale, ESSA makes high-end, non-mevushal wines. American-born, Western Cape based winemaker, Joshua Rynderman, the owner and winemaker at ESSA, says his winemaking journey began in an unexpected way. Seated next to renowned kosher winemaker, Benyamin Cantz of Four Gates Winery in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains at a Sukkot celebration in 2014, Rynderman found himself offering to assist in his winery. A psychology student at the time, Rynderman was intrigued by his wine discussion with Cantz, but otherwise knew absolutely nothing about wine."

Check it out in the South Africa Jewish Report.

https://www.sajr.co.za/sa-kosher-wine-grows-up-gets-noticed/?

And see the actual review here from the wine critic Fridjhon, a lead SA authority.

"Given the abuse to which most kosher wine is subjected, I never imagined I might ever seriously be tasting premium high-quality Cape wines that also happened to be compliant with the requirements of the Beth Din."....

"Two of the five wines I sampled bagged the highest scores in that week’s tasting. The Blanc Fumé (94 points) is exceptional. Fragrant and nuanced, with mown hay aromas, whiffs of lime blossom and hints of tropical fruit, it’s fairly priced at R500. The highest-scoring red (93 points) was the cabernet franc. It’s savoury and textured, with instantly accessible tannins — unusual for the variety — and succulent perfumed red fruit notes."

Kleinlerer Wines Now Kosher (initially the Cinsault and Rose Cinsault only)

Covenant Winery Managing Director Sagie Kleinlerer has been making wines himself for his own line at the Covenant Winery, but they havent been kosher.  The DipWSET is now producing two of these wines under kosher supervision. Looking forward to trying them and others that get supervision. 

Look for the kashrut information at the Dancing Sophie Red and the Cuvee Sasha and Nitza Rose at his web site.

Here is the announcement I received (after a tip from Liz Kratz).   Sagie says that kosher Pinot and Chenin Blanc are coming later this year.

NEW RELEASE!
2024 CUVÉE SACHA & NITZA
ROSÉ OF CINSAULT

Lodi, California
Please also chill the wine!

 

The hottest Rosé is back!

Cuvée Sacha & Nitza Rosé of Cinsault was the wine that flew off the shelves last year. Bright, acidic, and refreshing, this Rosé is an incredible food wine. It's also a fantastic sipping wine. Offered by-the-glass on wine lists in a number of San Francisco and Los Angeles restaurants, this Rosé is popular with everyone.

I love this wine so much and am proud to name it in memory of my parents, Sacha & Nitza. They loved to cook and this wine is the PERFECT food wine. It pairs with everything from light salads and crudité, to pastas, chicken, and fish.  

With only 45 cases produced, this wine will not last!

Kosher Drappier by Josh London

Excellent article on the kosher journey of one of the top champagne houses, Drappier. Josh London delivers, as always.

https://glassofbubbly.com/kosher-sparkling-wine/