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Tis the season to celebrate one’s heritage, and what better way ~ for the next eight days ~ than to enjoy a glass of wine produced by someone of this culture?
If this is not your cultural heritage, you’re still invited to toast the season on behalf of your Jewish relatives and/or friends. Personally, I’ve had three people of Jewish heritage enter my family through marriage. This is a special time of year when our cultures intermingle, so I can’t help but reflect on everyone’s joys of this month of seasonal and ethnic celebrations.
There’s always so much ado about Christmas that other cultures seem to take a back seat to the marketing of Santa Claus, Black Friday shopping, and everything tied up with a red velvet bow. (This almost makes me wonder if it’s we who were born to Christian families that are by nature conspicuous consumers, and that’s what drives Madison Avenue? Hum…)
Today, with Hanukkah just beginning for 2008, I thought about my Jewish family and friends. I decided to take the time to create a short list of wines produced by Jewish vintners in California, and purchase at least one bottle to celebrate these magical days ahead.
The world list is daunting, so I’m providing a link for those who are curious to see how much wine is produced by Jewish vitners.
- Jewish Wines ~ Kosher Wines (By country of origin and by cultivar)
The list of Califnornia vintners that I’ve gathered (with the help of others):
- 7 Artisans
- Abban Vineyards – John Alban
- Bighorn Cellars – Dick Wollack
- Bonny Doon – Randall Grahm
- Calix
- Carelia-Kaplan Cellars
- Cliff Lede – Michelle Edwards (winemaker)
- Clos Pegase – Jan Shrem
- Coho
- Cote Rose
- Covenant Kosher Wines
- Diamond Creek – the late Al Brounstein and his wife Boots
- Don Ernesto
- Eagle & Rose
- Edge Hill Estate – Leslie Rudd
- Emilio’s Terrace – Phil Schlein (owner)
- Frank Family Vineyards – Rich Frank
- Gemstone Vineyard
- Hagafen Wines
- Hall Wines
- Harlan – Bob Levy
- Herzog Wine Cellars
- Honig Vineyard & Winery
- Howell At The Moon
- Jaffe Estate
- JC Cellars
- Joseph Zakon Winery and Kesser Wine
- Judd’s Hill
- Krupp Brothers Estate
- Lieff Winery
- Match Vineyard
- Matthiasson
- Neiman Cellars
- Prix Vineyards
- Rashi Clara
- Reverie Vineyard and Winery
- Rock Creek Vineyard
- Rock Wall Wines (Kent Roenblum’s soon-to-be-released wines)
- Rosenblum Cellars
- Rudd Vineyards & Winery
- Ruston Family Vineyards
- Sara Bec
- Selene Wines – Mia Klein
- Silver Oak
- Sola Rosa
- Spring Mountain Vineyard
- Sly Dog Cellars
- Talbas Creek
- Water Mark
- Weinstock Cellars
- Z-Mor
Happy Hanukkah to you and/or yours!
Jo, as a Hanukkah observer, thanks for posting this. Just from the name, I’d suspect that your fellow PSILY board members Kent Rosenblum and Jeff Cohn are Jewish as well.
Don’t forget…
– Ernie Weir (Hagafen)
– Jeff Morgan (Covenant)
– of course, Art Finkelstein & Family of Judd Hill
Loweeel,
Thanks for pointing out the obvious that I totally missed. I spend so much time thinking about them all, all of the time, that this one went right over my head!
Also, Artisan Family of wines needs to be added to this list (Jeff Miller and Richard Burnley with Seven Artisans, Cote Rose, and Sly Dog Cellars). I’m adding them to the list, once I post this comment. I appreciate the add-ons. I’m sure there’s more, and if told about them, I’ll update the list, so it become really comprehensive.
Thanks for reaching out, reading, etc., and Happy Hanukkah, Loweeel!
You might want to check out this annual event: http://www.jewishvintners.org/
Hi, Josh,
Thanks for this tip-off. I’ll copy each one (that’s missing) into this posting tomorrow morning. It’s a great Website.
Happy Hanukkah to you and yours!