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 journey from the world of audio engineering to becoming one of Napa’s most trusted kosher winemakers. ...
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 discuss their top wine picks for Passover. The conversation highlights the diversity and quality...
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 kosher industry, wine pricing and its effect on buying, kosher wine sales in the non-kos...
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 devotion transform grapes into some of the rarest and most sought-after kosher wines in the world. Beny...
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 ancient winemaking traditions, and the exciting new wave of kosher Georgian wines arriving in Ameri...
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 & Rabbi Bernath read listener mail and chat about the topic of indigenous grapes. Kenny and Rabbi Yisroe...
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, Playground, Chardonnay, 2021 Goblet, Pinot Noir, 2017 Kenny sipped on the Golan Heigh...
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 experiences I’ve ever encountered. Nestled in the Montsant hills, Clos Mesorah is a gem of a wine...
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, the limited availability, and the greatness of Benyo. Kenny and Rabbi Yisroel talk about wines they have h...
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 wines, crafted with meticulous care despite being a tiny fraction of the winery's overall product...
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 Grand Secret, Sancerre, 2023. Kenny talks about the Camuna Winery in Philadephia, ora...
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 winemaking to the deep difficulties and emotion of making wine in Israel during the war of the past year p...
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 non-alcoholic wines have risen. They discuss how this might affect the kosher worl...
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 picks. Tura, Mountain Vista Snow, White Wine, 2023 Gush Etzion, Rosé, 2023 Maia, Mare Nostrum,...
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 Winery of Santa Cruz, CA. In this episode, we taste through four Essa Wines: Essa, Li...
On Episode 14, Dr. Kenneth Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath welcome a very special guest, Vered Ben Saadon of Tura Estate Winery. Tura Represents the resurgence of the ancient vineyards of Samaria, the Shomron, Planted by our ancestors thousands of years ago. Vered and Erez Ben Saadon embody the spirit of modern Israel and a return to our homeland. They discuss how Tura began out of necessity over two decades ago, and how Tura Estate has grown to a winery producing a quarter of a mil...
In Episode #13, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath welcome Kevin Danna, owner and winemaker of Binah Winery, Allentown, Pennsylvania. First, they delve into what is in their respective glasses, with Kevin drinking the new Cabernet Franc Reserve and Kenny drinking the Merlot, 2022. They discuss Kevin's winemaking origin story and his fateful journey from landscape engineer to winemaker, beginning in Pinnacle Ridge Winery before starting his own winery. Danna discusses his backgroun...
n this episode, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Yisroel Bernath have a wide-ranging conversation about wines they have recently enjoyed, a wine-tasting comparing similar wines from different regions, and many other topics. In the first episode since Shavuos, Kenny highlights three different bubblies, each at different price points, and from different regions. The Bonnet-Ponson, the Koenig Cremant, and the Matar Blanc de Noirs. Rabbi Bernath talks about a special wine tasting held with Jay Buchsb...
In the highly anticipated Shavuos (or is it Shavuot?) White Wine Pick episode, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Dr. Kenny Friedman choose wines five price categories: Under $15, $15 to $25, $25-$35, $35-$45, and over $45. Rabbi Yisroel Bernath & Dr. Kenny Friedman in turn surprise and delight each other with their picks. They discuss the lack of appreciation for white wines, oak's influence on white wines, the proper serving temperature for whites, as well as when a wh...
In Episode #10, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath and Dr. Kenny Friedman welcome Jon Hajdu, winemaker for Covenant Wines of Berkeley, California, and his own eponymous label, Hajdu Wines. They discuss Jon’s winemaking origin story and his fateful journey from NY to California and Australia in between, and from being an archaeology and pre-med major at SUNY Albany to making his own first wine in 2005 to being named a Wine Enthusiast magazine “40 Under 40” winemaker in 2018. Hajdu speaks abou...