The Kosher Terroir

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Embark on a Wine Concierges adventure with me, Simon Jacob, as we traverse the landscape of Israeli wines and the personal journey of Eli Freedman from Cork Cellar. From Boston to Montreal and finally planting roots in Israel, Eli discusses the tale of his passion for wine that blossomed into a flourishing wine services company. Our conversation traverses...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Unlock the secrets of wine preservation with me, your host Simon Jacob, as we navigate the delicate art of keeping your bottles at their best. From the bustling energy of Tel Aviv to the serenity of your own home, this dialogue is a deep dive into the factors that protect the essence of each varietal. We tackle the conventional wisdom on temperature, chall...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir As the streets of Jerusalem whisper with the history of Purim, I find myself wrestling with a dichotomy of celebration and sorrow—a reality for many in the Jewish community. This episode of The Kosher Terroir isn't just another recount of Purim's festivities; it's a candid reflection on the turbulence shaking our world, from the rise in anti...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Embark on a heartwarming journey with Moises and David Cohen from Elvi Wines as they weave a tale of reviving Spain's Jewish winemaking tradition, a craft unpracticed since the 15th century. Join us from the Cohens' visitor center in Priorat as we uncork the story behind Spain's only completely kosher winery. The family's dedication to...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Witness the resilience of the human spirit through the eyes of Yisca and Neta, brave women who bear the weight of their family winery while their husbands are called to the front lines. Today, we bring you their compelling stories from HaSela Winery, where the vines are nourished not just by nature, but by the unyielding determination of those who tend the...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Wine is more than just a drink; it's a journey bottled within each glass. Today, we uncork the story of Ernie Weir, the founder of Hagafen Cellars, who has masterfully blended the art of winemaking with the nuances of Kosher tradition. His experiences stretch from the ritual Kiddush to pioneering an inclusive Napa Valley winery that invites connoisseu...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Embark on a sensory expedition with me, Simon Jacob, as we uncover the alchemy of winemaking at Agur Winery, perched in the Judean Hills. Our hosts, Elad Katz, Eyal Drori, and Shoki Yishuv, invite us into their realm where time-honored methods meld with avant-garde technology. Picture a Carignan, aged with an innovative nod to Priorat's ancient clay p...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir I invite you to a journey steeped in history and taste with Agur Winery's CEO Elad Katz and it's head winemaker Eyal Drori. We raise our glasses to the birth of its new vineyard and the winery's 26th vintage, each sip revealing the narratives of the land and the passion of its people. You'll meet Elad and Eyal, witness their serendipito...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Embark on a vinicultural voyage with Nathan Hill, the physicist who traded in his lab coat for the lush vineyards of the world’s finest kosher wines. In our latest episode, we uncork Nathan's story, tracing his path from North London to the helm of Honest Grapes - an inclusive wine club that's shaking up the elitism of the wine industry. We delve...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir As we uncork the mysteries of winemaking in the historic vineyards of Israel, Dr. Shivi Drori and Yiftach Lustig join us to weave a tale of ancient grapes and modern triumphs. Our glasses are filled with the fruits of their labor as we sip on Gva'ot Winery's finest and discuss the rediscovery of native grape varieties once lost to time. The narra...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Discover the rich tapestry of Jewish tradition and spirituality as we gather around my Jerusalem dining table with Rav Yakov Avraham Shepherd and my son Ovadiah for a mystical TuB'Shevat Seder. Rabbi Shepherd, steeped in Kabbalistic wisdom, guides us through the holiday's profound significance—heralded as the new year for trees—while intertwining...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir As the sun sets on another bustling week, we gather around the table with Kenny Friedman and Eitan G to toast the complexities of Israeli wines, revealing a palette of untold stories within each glass. Our Shabbat conversation uncorks the lesser-known world of Israeli white wines and discusses the spiritual significance of wine in Jewish culture while sipp...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Venture into the rich tapestry of kosher Italian wines as I'm joined by the esteemed Dr. Ralph Madeb of M&M Importers and the compassionate Nunzio Castaldo of Panabianco Imports. Their stories weave through the dedication and exceptional standards of kosher winemaking, revealing the industry's heart and soul. From Nunzio's inspiring dona...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Embark on a vinicultural voyage with the illustrious Pierre Miodownik, the maestro of the kosher wine industry, as he narrates his exquisite journey from the quaint Languedoc to the revered vineyards of Grand Cru Bordeaux. Within the intimate setting of our latest episode, Pierre, the spirit of Natofa Winery, pours out tales of his collaboration with the R...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Embark on a winemaking adventure with Eliyahu Margulis and Tzvi Zucker, the Winemakers behind Mosaic Cellars, who join me, Simon Jacob, to uncork the secrets of their innovative winery nestled in the hills of Dolev, Israel. Prepare to have your palate enlightened as we stroll through the vineyards of creativity and tradition, sampling the fruits of a partn...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Embark on a captivating odyssey through the storied vineyards of Israel with the venerable Eli Ben-Zaken of Castel Winery. We unravel the rich tapestry of Eli's life—from his Egyptian roots to his ascendancy as a trailblazer in Israeli viticulture. Our conversation traverses the hallowed grounds of his Ramat Razíel winery, now housing their sister bra...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Get ready to embark on a flavorful journey as your hosts, Simon Jacob and Yechiel Wolgel, unravel the world of Israeli wines, sharing insights about the Shore family's legacy, the historic Montefiore Windmill, and the deep-rooted culture and history of Jerusalem. Throughout this episode, we tantalize your taste buds with the refreshing 2022 Sauvignon...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir When journeying through the world of wine, have you ever truly considered the connection between the land and the drink in your glass? Allow us to introduce you to a heartwarming story of resilience, passion, and the enduring power of the land. Our guest in this episode is Ari Pollock, a man who, together with his partner Tomer Panini, put their heart and...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Yisrael Flam, a revered figure in the Israeli wine-making industry, takes us on a journey through his inspiring career, from studying winemaking in South Africa and California to becoming the chief winemaker for Carmel Wineries. His insight into the evolution of the Israeli wine industry is truly enlightening. We'll also be joined by Yisrael's so...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Isn't it fascinating how a simple beverage such as wine can tell a story, carry traditions, and even unite a community? Join us as we sit down with Jacob Ner David, chairman of Jezreel Winery, a passionate entrepreneur and ardent lover of nature, who shares his intriguing journey from being a serial entrepreneur to heading a winery. We dive into how h...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Get ready for a fascinating journey as we sit down with wine aficionado Adam Montefiore and trace the roots of Zionism through the lens of the Israeli wine industry. Adam, with his deep knowledge and recent books documenting the history of two significant Israeli wineries, guides us in exploring the powerful influence Moshe Montefiore had on the early Jewi...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Ever wonder what it takes to go from being a military tank commander to a pastry chef, and eventually, a chief winemaker? Let's embark on a voyage with Asaf Paz, the mastermind behind Vidkin Winery, as he shares his fascinating path charted across Israel, California, and Australia. His military experiences, culinary adventures, and deep-rooted passion...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir With the ever-present tension of war weighing you down? Then you'd resonate with the stories of Tomer Panini, a winemaker from the Shomron Mountains, and Amichai Lourie, the winemaker at Shiloh. They're not just making the finest wines, but exposing their spirit of resilience in the harsh reality of conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Amidst the tension...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Ever wondered about the complexities behind the making of kosher wines? Brace yourself as I and my inquisitive friend, Etan G from Shlock Rock fame, unravel the mysteries behind producing kosher wines and explore their cultural significance within the Jewish community. As we sit down over a glass of wine, we engage in an enlightening discussion about the I...

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir Join us on an intoxicating journey as we uncork the secrets of winemaking with the enigmatic Lewis Pasco. Embrace the aromatic complexities of creating an exceptional wine as Lewis, a former chef turned winemaker, shares his exciting transition from the culinary arts to crafting world-class wines. From the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma to the terroir of the...