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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, 2019
Odem Mountain, Alfasi, Special Edition, 2018

Kenny's picks were:

Agur, La'yam, Blanc, 2023
Nana, Chenin Blanc, 2023
Golan Heights Winery, yarden, Brut Rosé, 2018
Tabor, 1/11000, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019
Carmel, Limited Edition, 2010
Carmel, Vintage, 2007

Dr. Kenny Friedman & Rabbi Yisroel Bernath discuss the various regions of Israel and what makes Israeli wine special. They talk about prior visits to Israeli wineries, meeting the individuals who pour their heart and soul into these wines.

They note that this episode marks the end of the calendar year and discuss several ideas for upcoming shows.

Kenny & Rabbi Yisroel wish all of our listeners a shana tova, a ketiva v'ketima tova, a happy and healthy New Year.

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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, Liv & Luv, Western Cape, Rose, 2024
Essa, Altira, Cape South Coast, 2023
Essa, Franschook, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022
Essa, Emunah, Hemel en Aarde Ridge, 2020

Josh discusses the origins and winemaking behind each of these wines. Dr. Kenny Friedman & Rabbi Yisroel Bernath ask Josh about his wine journey and the origin of his South African winery. They cover wide-ranging topics, including climate, terroir, and starting a new winery in the current landscape. Josh talks about his desire to bring his wine to as many people as possible and adding a third kosher certification to his wines. Josh tells Kenny & Rabbi Yisroel his overarching philosophy of making wine “l’sheim mitzvah” and for the ability of people to make kiddush over his wine.

Kenny & Rabbi Yisroel ask Josh about his vision for the future and thank him for joining their podcast as a special guest.

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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 million bottles a year.

Vered tells the fascinating history of her family, both as Holocaust survivors and as collaborators, her parents' return to Judaism, and aliyah to Israel.

Kenny and Rabbi Yisroel discuss with Vered the current state of the war and how it has affected Tura and the Ben Saadon family, with many seen miracles.

Vered stresses the need, more than ever, to buy Israeli wine, to support the winemakers, and to visit Israel.

Tura Estate Winery can be found at turawinery.com

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Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com