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