Kosher Wine Podcast

In this episode of the Kosher Wine Podcast, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath sit down for a wide-ranging discussion with Gabriel Geller, WSETIII, Director of PR and Manager of Wine Education for Royal Wine. Geller now holds the incredible distinction of being the first two-time guest on Kosher Wine Podcast, having joined us a year ago for our pre-Pesach edition. Gabriel, Kenny, and the...

After hosting an unforgettable evening in Montreal, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath sits down with legendary winemaker Yaacov Oryah and world-class private chef Yossel Backman for a behind-the-scenes conversation. What started as a perfectly curated night of wine and food quickly turned into something deeper, a dialogue about creativity, risk, and what happens when wine and cuisine are allowed to truly spea...

With Purim approaching next week, Kenny and Rabbi Bernath delve into the idea of drinking wine on Purim. Halakhic Perspectives Purim Night vs. Purim Day Types of Wine we Drink on Purim Purim vs. Pesach Wines We rely on Rabbi Bernath's rabbinic knowledge and discuss some beautiful ideas of what makes Purim special and how we consider "ad delo yada" and drinking wine until one cannot...

In The Kosher Wine Podcast Superbowl Halftime Show, Season 2 Episode 8, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Bernath discuss their observations of the recent KFWE held on February 3, 2026 in the Meadowlands, NJ. They each have critiques on what could be improved and chat on the following topics: Length of the event New Wines Trade vs. Public Location of Show Crowd Food Personalities Dr. Kenny and Rabbi Be...

In Season 2 Episode 7, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Bernath discuss the annual wine holiday "Four Gates Day," which just occurred. They discussed what makes Four Gates special and what qualifies any wine as a cult wine. Dr. Kenny and Rabbi Bernath chat about a host of other new wines on the market and some that they have recently tried. They talk about upcoming wine events they are hosti...

In Season 2 Episode 6, Kenny and Rabbi Bernath review many of the wines they had over the last couple months, covering many of the new wines and regions available in the kosher marketplace. They discuss such wines as Chablis Grand Cru, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a Premier Crus Beaune, and many others. Rabbi Bernath talks about his special house guest, Dr. Moises Cohen of Elvi Winery. Kenny immedi...

In a laid-back and wide-ranging interview, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath shmooze with Chaim Hillel, Rabbi at Chabad of SLO (serving Cal Poly), and hands-on cellarmaster and Levi Chitrik, NY native, who now lives in Atlanta. Chitrik started making wine as a teen, and went pro at Brooklyn Winery in 2010. In 2012, Chitrik partnered with Chaim (his cousin’s husband) and moved production...

In the (too) long awaited Episode 4, Kenny and Rabbi Bernath cover a lot of ground and discuss many of the hot topics of the day in the kosher wine world. Among them: The impossibility of getting kosher wines in Quebec The effect of tariffs on international wine and the kosher market The price increase on the Royal portfolio The difficulty in finding quality kosher wines under $35 or $40 and the d...

What do Lucasfilm, Pixar, and kosher Cabernet have in common? One man: Dan Levin. In this special edition of the Kosher Wine Podcast, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath sits down with Dan Levin, affectionately known in the Valley as “Kosher Dan”—for an unforgettable conversation that flows like a fine barrel sample. Recorded under the starlit skies of OneHope Winery, this episode uncorks Dan’s incredible journ...

In Episode 2 of Season 2, Dr. Kenny Friedman & Rabbi Yisroel Bernath get back to basics, reviewing wines they have been drinking recently and discussing what makes them interesting. Kenny's Wines: Bodegas Vizar, Roble, 2023 Chateau Les Graves de Lavaud, 2020 Dalton, Galilee, Sauvignon Blanc, Fumé, 2024 Clos 15, Brut Nature, Cava, NV Dalton, Galilee, Alma, Deep Red, 2020 R' Yisroel&ap...

In this first episode of the second season of The Kosher Wine Podcast, join Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath as they sit together for the first time live on the podcast. They welcome their wives, special guests, family and friends, drink wonderful wines, and celebrate the holiday of Pesach (Passover) with happiness and special friendship.  Kenny and Rabbi Bernath enjoy the: Nana Estate...

In the highly anticipated 2025/5785 Second Annual Pesach episode, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath make their Seder Wine Picks. They choose exclusively red, non-mevushal, and easy to drink wines for the Four Cups. They emphasize the importance of choosing Israeli wines for the Seder and supporting the Israeli wine industry. In this conversation, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Kenny Friedman...

In Episode 27 of the Kosher Wine Podcast, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath sit down for a wide-ranging discussion with Gabriel Geller, WSETIII, Director of PR and Manager of Wine Education for Royal Wine, Inc. Gabriel recounts how he got into the wine industry and his current position at Royal. Kenny & Yisroel discuss a wide variety of topics, including current wine trends in the k...

The Soul of Four Gates: A Deep Dive with Benyomin Cantz In this unforgettable episode of the Kosher Wine Podcast , Rabbi Yisroel Bernath journeyed to the breathtaking Santa Cruz Mountains to meet the legendary winemaker Benyomin Cantz of Four Gates Winery . We walk the vineyards, explore his hands-on winemaking process, and step into the sacred stillness of his barrel room, where patience and devo...

In this captivating episode of the Kosher Wine Podcast , Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath sit down with Rabbi Michoel Gershzon for a deep dive into the world of Georgian wine. Rabbi Gershzon shares his firsthand expertise on Georgia’s rich winemaking heritage and his work with Bam Wine and Spirits. Together, they explore what makes Georgian wine so distinctive, the history behind its a...

In Episode #24, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath discuss their visit to the Kosher Food & Wine Experience NY, Royal Wine's major trade show and annual tasting events, held at the Park Hotel Meadowlands on February 10, 2025. They discussed their thoughts on the big event, talking about timing of the show, the new wines they tasted, and all of the people they met. Kenny & Ra...

In Episode #23, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath chat about Kenny's recent visit to Israel, and his visits to wineries in the north of Israel, among them: Recanati Winery Dalton Winery Netofa Winery Jezreel Winery They discuss upcoming kosher wine events around the globe.  Rabbi Bernath reviews the four wines he had over the past week:  Clos 15 Cava Kamisa, Omega, 2020 Oryah, Play...

Few wine experiences linger in memory as vividly as a day spent at Elvi Wines and Clos Mesorah in Montsant and Priorat Spain. My wife Sara and I had the privilege of an extraordinary visit — a masterclass in hospitality and winemaking — hosted by Moises and Anna Cohen. The rain, relentless throughout the day, provided a dramatic backdrop to what turned out to be one of the most enriching vineyard...

In Episode #21, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath discuss their visit to the Kosher Food & Wine Experience (KFWE) in Miami, one of Royal Wine's annual tasting events, run by WIZO in Miami. They talk about their favorite aspects of the event and the wines and food. Kenny & Rabbi Bernath put the podcast on pause to check out Four Gates Winery's annual sale, the prices, t...

In this inaugural episode of the Spain Series, Sara and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath reflect on their fascinating journey to Celler de Capçanes , a historic winery nestled in the heart of the Montsant region of Spain.  The episode begins with an exploration of the region's breathtaking landscape and the history of the Capçanes winery, which dates back over 500 years. The focus shifts to their kosher...

In Episode #19, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath have a wide-ranging conversation about wines they have recently enjoyed, lots of current events in the wine world, and drink two wines and discuss: the Dalton, Asufa, Grounded, Zuriman, 2023 and the Einat, Lonely Cat, Petit Verdot, 2020. Rabbi Bernath talks about two other wines he has had recently: Eola Hills, Pinot Noir, 2021 and Le Gr...

In Episode #18, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath welcome Amichai Lourie, winemaker of Israel's Shiloh Winery since its founding in 2005. Just having opened the new winery and visitor center a month ago, now is the time to visit and support Shiloh Winery and all of the incredible wines of Israel. Listen in as this wide-ranging discussion goes from the intricacies of Amichai's...

In Episode #17, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath have a wide-ranging conversation about wines they have recently enjoyed over the Jewish holidays, as well as some recent international wine trends. Kenny brings up the topic of a recent study showing internationally, still red wine sales have fallen dramatically, while sales of white, Rosé, sparkling, and interestingly, low-alcohol and n...

In Episode #16, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath reveal their Rosh Hashanah 5785 picks. Featuring all Israeli wines for the New Year, in support of the wineries, winemakers, and workers of our homeland, Kenny and Rabbi Bernath discuss the importance of this idea. Rabbi Bernath chose wines from the categories of whites, Rosé, reds, and one dessert wine, explaining the reasons for their...

In Episode #15, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath welcome Josh Rynderman, owner and winemaker of South Africa’s ESSA Winery. Joshua Rynderman is a man brimming with audacious energy evident in his easy smile but even more so in his craft. Joshua has built the young ESSA winery of South Africa following training under master boutique winemaker, Benyamin Cantz, of the fabled Four Gates Wi...