Wine & Whiskey: Oregon: Pinot Noir Country

Twin Suns Pinot Noir. (Photo credit: David Silverman)

Oregon makes only about 3 percent of U.S. wine, yet its reputation rests on Pinot Noir that aims to rival Burgundy. My September column looks at how Oregon went from a blank slate for kosher drinkers to a real source of excellent kosher Pinot.

The story starts with Pacifica, the first all kosher winery in the Pacific Northwest, and accelerates with Twin Suns, the venture of Ami and Larissa Nahari of The River Wine with Shimon and Gabriel Weiss of Shirah, whose 2016 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir became a sensation. I also cover the collaboration with Eola Hills and what to look for on the shelf.

Read the full column in Washington Jewish Week: Wine & Whiskey: Oregon: Pinot Noir Country

Wine Spectator with Eli Ben Zaken

 The venerable publication posts an Instagram video interview with the Castel winemaker. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOwJWjbgtbV/?

Wine of the Desert: The Bold Wineries of Israel's Negev

Red Sea Winery (Photo by David Silverman)

The Negev is the last place most people imagine fine wine being made, yet it has become one of Israel's most surprising wine regions. My September column visits the bold wineries of the desert.

The Negev Wine Consortium has grown from 12 members to more than 55, and wine now draws visitors and roots families and communities in the desert. I profile pioneers like Yatir, founded in 2000, look at the newer producers rewriting the rules of desert viticulture, and note plans for a rule requiring at least 85 percent of the grapes to be grown in the region.

Read the full column in Washington Jewish Week: Wine of the Desert: The Bold Wineries of Israel's Negev