‘Tis the season to celebrate heritage, and what better way for the days of Hanukkah than to enjoy it with 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 have had three people of Jewish heritage enter my family through marriage, and each one is very dear and has added something very substantive to my life. 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…)

With Hanukkah beginning at sunset on Saturday, December 8, 2012, and ending at sunset on Sunday, December 16, 2012, I continue to think about my Jewish family and friends, and will be toasting them…

The following is short list of wines produced by Jewish vintners in California, and it’s time for me to purchase at least one bottle to celebrate these magical days.

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 vintners.

• Click on this link for Jewish Wines ~ Kosher Wines (By country of origin and by cultivar)

The list of California vintners that I’ve gathered (with the help of others) over the years:

1. 7 Artisans
2. Abban Vineyards – John Alban
3. Bighorn Cellars – Dick Wollack
4. Bonny Doon Vineyard – Randall Grahm
5. Calix
6. Carelia-Kaplan Cellars
7. Cliff Lede – Michelle Edwards (winemaker)
8. Clos Pegase – Jan Shrem
9. Coho
10. Cote Rose
    
11. Covenant Kosher Wines
12. Diamond Creek – the late Al Brounstein and his wife Boots
13. Don Ernesto
14. Eagle & Rose
15. Edge Hill Estate – Leslie Rudd
16. Emilio’s Terrace – Phil Schlein (owner)
17. Frank Family Vineyards – Rich Frank
18. Gemstone Vineyard
19. Hagafen Wines
20. Hall Wines
    
21. Harlan – Bob Levy
22. Herzog Wine Cellars
23. Honig Vineyard & Winery
24. Howell At The Moon
25. Jaffe Estate
26. JC Cellars
27. Joseph Zakon Winery and Kesser Wine
28. Judd’s Hill
29. Krupp Brothers Estate
30. Lieff Winery
31. Longboard Wines – winemaker Oded Shaked
32. Match Vineyard
    
33. Matthiasson
34. Neiman Cellars
35. Prix Vineyards
36. Rashi Clara
37. River Road Family Vineyards and Winery
38. Reverie Vineyard and Winery
39. Rock Creek Vineyard
    
40. Rock Wall Wine Company
    
41. Rudd Vineyards & Winery
42. Ruston Family Vineyards
43. Sara Bec
44. Selene Wines – Mia Klein
45. Silver Oak
46. Sola Rosa
    
47. Spring Mountain Vineyard
48. Sly Dog Cellars
49. Stein Family Wines
50. Talbas Creek
    
51. Water Mark
52. Weinstock Cellars
53. Z-Mor

Happy Hanukkah to you and yours!

Related articles

• Top Things You Did Not Know About Hanukkah (new102.cbslocal.com)
• The True Meaning of Hanukkah (nytimes.com)