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 hosting in various cities and those they will attend as guests, such as KFWE and KWD Wine Night in early February.

In this wide-ranging episode, Kenny and Rabbi Bernath get back to what they do best: shooting the breeze between two great friends while discussing kosher wine.

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Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com

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 immediately gets jealous.

In this wide-ranging episode, Kenny and Rabbi Bernath get back to what they do best: shooting the breeze between two great friends and chatting kosher wine.

Support the show

Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com

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 to California. For years they made small-batch wines, and sold by word of mouth only. Since 2021, they have been fully licensed, producing in San Luis Obispo.

Narrow Bridge maintains a focus on Pinot Noir—mainly Santa Maria Valley clones, and while they also make Cab and Merlot, Pinot remains the passion.

Wine, for Narrow Bridge, is both currency and connection. "Though growth means we can’t know every customer, we value the relationships and the way wine opens doors—especially for Chaim in his rabbinic work, it opens doors to yidden who wouldn’t otherwise engage with a Rabbi."

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To learn more or purchase wines at narrowbridgewinery.com

You can pick up Narrow Bridge wines at some of your favorite shops across the country, including:

• Vineyard – Lakewood, NJ
• Cork & Barrel – Passaic, NJ
• Filler Up – Englewood, NJ
• La Vino – Long Island, NY
• The Cask – Los Angeles, CA
• Barrel Wine & Cheese – South Florida
• Wine on 59 – Monsey, NY
• Liquor & Wine Warehouse – Five Towns, NY

Support the show

Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com

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 detrimental effect on the casual wine drinker
• Wine bottle sizing - should more smaller bottles be available?
• The lack of canned or boxed kosher wines
• The fallout of tariffs on French wine imports and the possible silver lining

Kenny and Rabbi Bernath discuss the wine they had over Shabbos Chazon (limited menu, of course:

• Kenny: Landsman, Syrah, Sta. Rita Hills, 2023
• Rabbi Bernath: Landman, Syrah, 2014

Support the show

Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com

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. From hand-destemming berries one-by-one at Mayacamas to salvaging vintages with divine timing at Marciano Estate, Dan shares behind-the-scenes stories filled with heart, humor, and hashgacha pratis.

Rabbi Bernath and Dan explore what makes kosher winemaking not just rigorous but deeply meaningful, from spiritual discipline to the surprising truth that sometimes the kosher wine tastes better. Whether you’re a wine lover, a spiritual seeker, or just someone who appreciates a great story, this episode is as rich and rewarding as a well-aged Cabernet.

See Rabbi Bernath’s Full Article on his experience with Dan Levin HERE https://medium.com/@loverabbi/a-taste-of-kosher-napa-77bc19e87b51?sk=ddb4e271a3566be0cf50957236f9ff94

Support the show

Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com

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's Wines:

• J. de Villebois, Pouilly-Fumé, “Les Silex Blancs,” 2023
• El Orador, Rioja Alta, 2023
• Dalton, Pinot Gris, 2023
• Hajdu, Mendocino County, Pinot Blanc, 2024
• Recanati, Reserve, Marselan, 2019

Kenny and R' Yisroel discuss genetic mutations creating white variants of red grapes, screw top wines, the impression labels make on customers, and the greater topic of "ambience" as it applies to restaurants and food, among many other topics.

Support the show

Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com

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, Mitzpe Ramon, Tethys, 2021
Shirah, Coalition, 2019
Four Gates, Santa Clara Valley, Syrah, 2016

Listen in and have a seat at the table.

Support the show

Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com

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 of Israeli wines and the importance of supporting Israeli winemakers, more so now than ever. They also discuss the significance of remembering and focusing on the remaining Israeli hostages during the Seder, may they be brought home safely, speedily, and in good health now, as well as all of our soldiers, may Hashem watch over them. Next Year in Jerusalem!

Kenny's Picks:

Seder 1 (Israeli Only):

Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, Rose, Brut, 2017

Vitkin, Israeli Journey, Red, 2023

Dalton, Asufa, Grounded, Zuriman, 2023

Gva'ot, Gofna, Reserve, Bittuni, 2023

(Alternate option: Domaine du Castel, La Vie, Rouge, 2023)

Shulchan Orech: Recanati, Reserve, Wild Carignan, 2014

Seder 2 (International):

Hagafen, Brut Rose, 2015

Kleinlerer, Dancin' Sophie, Cinsault, 2024

Binah, Pinot Noir, 2022

Shirah, Riverbench, Pinot Meunier, 2021

Shulchan Orech: Carmel, Single Vineyard, Sha'al, Merlot, 2010

Yisroel’s Picks:

Seder 1 and 2 (Both Israel)

Bravdo Neta Red, 2023

Tulip Merlot, 2021

Recanati Young Vines Carignan ,2019

Yarden Cabernet, 2009

Odem Forest Red Blend, 2023

Dalton Scarlett, 2020

Yaacov Oryah Up We Go, 2020

Netofa DOR Syrah, 2017

Bat Shlomo Regavim, 2021

Support the show

Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com