The Kosher Terroir

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir What if the rich history of winemaking could be captured in a single bottle? That’s the journey Avi Ben Shlomo embarked on, blending the elegance of European viticulture learned in Burgundy with the innovative vigor of Napa Valley. In this episode, Avi shares his fascinating path from the vineyards of France to the sun-drenched Judean hills, where he estab...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Join me, along with my special guest host and son, Ovadiah Jacob, as we embark on an unforgettable journey through the world of kosher wines. We kick things off by uncorking a rare 2009 Semillon from Yaakov Oriah that defies time with its youthful vibrancy. We discuss some additional stellar whites by Ya'acov Oryah, like the Queen of Hearts and SoulMa...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir What sparks a lifelong passion for winemaking? Join us on The Kosher Terroir as we sit down with Ari Tannenbaum, head winemaker at Tabernacle Winery in Moshev Tzuriel, Israel. Ari's remarkable journey from Cedarhurst, New York to the vineyards of Israel is filled with inspiration, dedication, and a deep connection to his cultural roots. Hear how an en...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir From the heart of Holland to the vineyards of Israel, join us as we explore the remarkable journey of Vered Ben-Saadon. Born to a non-Jewish mother and Jewish father, Verid’s path led her to make Aliyah and to convert to Judaism, driven by her family's sincere passion for the land and the Jewish faith. Alongside her husband, Erez, Vered founded Tura W...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir What if the future of Israeli wine lies in the hands of a single person? You'll be surprised to know that it almost does. In this episode of The Kosher Terroir, we sit down with Noa Maoz, a top agronomist and viticulturist from the Golan Heights, who shares her journey into viticulture and the evolving landscape of the Israeli wine industry. From comb...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Gabriel Geller, affectionately known as GG, joins us for an episode filled with passion, heritage, and an unwavering commitment to the world of kosher wine. From his early days, his extraordinary memory of details has led to his becoming a revered figure in the kosher wine community. Gabriel’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Raised amidst the pictur...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir What does it take to build a vineyard from the ground up in the rocky terrains of Israel? Join us as Nadav Jesselson walks us through his deeply personal and inspiring journey of establishing a vineyard in Nechusha. From finding the perfect plot with optimal solar exposure to navigating the convoluted waters of bureaucracy, Nadav’s candid storytelling offe...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Join us for a compelling conversation with Elizabeth Kratz, the noted wine ambassador and journalist introducing and reporting on the global kosher wine landscape. Discover how Elizabeth, the associate publisher and editor at the Jewish Link Media Group, plays a pivotal role in curating the annual Jewish Link Wine Guide. She shares behind-the-scenes storie...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir How does one maintain their faith and courage amidst the chaos of conflict? Join us, as we unravel the profound and emotional journey of living in Israel during Tisha B'Av. This episode begins with a heartfelt prayer for our soldiers and hostages, setting the stage for an exploration of resilience. We revisit Charlie Harary's impactful Tisha B&ap...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Have you ever wondered how you can create your own vineyard in the heart of Israel? Join me as I sit down with Nadav Jesselson, co-founder of Anava Vineyards, to uncover how this unique initiative allows you to do just that with the guidance of top wine professionals. Nadav shares the captivating story of Anava's mission, taking us through the histori...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Can ancient teachings and modern practices create a unique kind of wine? Join me, Simon Jacob, as I walk through the ancient Tzfat winery in Israel with Rav Moshe Alon, a winemaker who blends Kabbalistic wisdom with his agricultural techniques. Discover how Rav Moshe shapes his vines into Hebrew letters to boost the spiritual essence of his grapes, fosteri...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir We invite you to celebrate our first anniversary of The Kosher Terroir podcast! My sister-in-law, writer Eva Trieger, joins me for an engaging interview, where we review the year's shows while charting the remarkable evolution of kosher wine over the past few decades. We've covered everything from the transformation of Israel's Judean Hills...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Join us as we sit down with Natanel Neli Sagiv, an assistant winemaker at Covenant Winery, who shares his unexpected journey from a high-tech career to the art of winemaking in Berkeley. Learn how a chance meeting with Jeff Morgan changed his career path forever. Together, we savor Covenant's Chardonnay 23, Levan, and discuss its fresh, crisp, and wel...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Ever wondered how the unique climatic and geographical conditions of the Western Upper Galilee shape some of Israel's most intriguing wines? Join us as we sit down with Itay Lahat, an acclaimed Israeli winemaker whose journey from local vineyards to international accolades is truly inspiring. From his hands-on education in Australia at the University...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Is it possible to merge tradition with innovation? Join us as we explore the Herzog family's illustrious wine legacy through the eyes of Joseph Herzog, an eighth-generation family member and Vice President of the Herzog Cellars California operations. Joseph shares his incredible journey from modest real estate ambitions to managing a cutting-edge wine...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir What does transforming a small winery into a major mover in the Israeli wine industry take? This episode of The Kosher Terroir holds the answers as we chat with Eran Pick, the winemaker and general manager at Tzora Vineyards. Eran's journey into the world of winemaking began with an unexpected spark during his time in the Israeli Air Force, leading hi...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Part 2: What if we told you that Israel's wine industry is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with, blending centuries-old tradition with cutting-edge technology? In this episode of Kosher Terroir, we take you on an exhilarating journey through the Israeli wine landscape with the incredibly talented winemakers Efi Kotz and Shachar Mamor of Recana...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Part 1: Embark on a transformative journey to the Recanati Winery in the northern Galil, where we uncover the intricate art of winemaking amidst a backdrop of regional strife. Join me, Simon Jacob, as I sit down with sommelier Efi Kotz and winemaker Shahar Mamor to explore the resilience of a community dedicated to excellence in viticulture. Despite the pr...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir How are Europe's finest non-kosher wineries transformed into kosher wine producers? Join us for an exclusive conversation with Rabbi Raphael Wolff of the Top K Hashgacha, as he unravels the meticulous process behind kosher wine production. From koshering vats and barrels to handling every precious drop of wine, Rabbi Wolf sheds light on the detailed p...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Embark on an oenophilic odyssey with me, Simon Jacob, as I engage with the astute David Riven of kosherwine.com. Together, we unravel the rich tapestry of kosher wines, meandering from the terroir of Oregon to the vineyards of Israel. Our opening salvo is a taste test of a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, followed by an expedition into the heart of wine order...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir As the sun sets on Yom HaZikaron, our hearts heavy with remembrance, we soon find them lifted by the triumphs of Yom Ha'atzmaut. I invite you to a powerful exchange with Professor Uriel Bachrach and Zohara Yaniv Bachrach, as they walk us through the stark contrasts of sorrow and festivity that reside in the Israeli consciousness. Uriel's recollec...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Dive into the vibrant life of Alicia Wilbur, the awesome Production Winemaker at Herzog Cellars, as she weaves the art of kosher winemaking with her down-to-earth family life, vegetable gardens, chickens and all! Our chat with Alicia offers a rare peek into how she juggles crafting exquisite wines and enjoying Shabbat dinners, all while nurturing a communi...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Embark on a flavorful odyssey with Simon Jacob as he welcomes Ephraim Greenblatt of Hatch Brewery to the microphone. Together, we trade the vinous vines of Pesach for the brewing barrels of chametz, delving into the intricate dance of flavors that define the world's most beloved beers. From the malty caress of a Helles-style lager to the bold esters o...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Ever wonder how a seasoned winemaker navigates the plethora of choices for Pesach wines? 17 Global Wine Celebrities join us to share their vast knowledge and offer a blend of wisdom on pairing the perfect wines with your Seder meal. From the first cup of robust red to the sweet sips that bid us goodnight, we traverse the globe, uncorking personal customs a...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Embark on a voyage with Michael Kaye of Invei Winery, as he recounts his extraordinary transformation from a book editor to a pioneer in the kosher winemaking scene of Berkeley, California. His story is a tapestry of heavenly direction, from an amusing mix-up in kosher oversight to the forging of his craft through the guidance of vintner maestros in the fe...