With Purim approaching next week, Kenny and Rabbi Bernath delve into the idea of drinking wine on Purim.

Halakhic Perspectives
Purim Night vs. Purim Day
Types of Wine we Drink on Purim
Purim vs. Pesach Wines

We rely on Rabbi Bernath's rabbinic knowledge and discuss some beautiful ideas of what makes Purim special and how we consider "ad delo yada" and drinking wine until one cannot distinguish between "Arur Haman" (cursed is Haman) and "Baruch Mordechai" (blessed is Mordechai).

But first we discuss our mutual visits and dinners with Ya'acov Oryah of Pinto Winery and Ya'acov Oryah wines.

We are always thrilled to hear from our listeners. Our listener poll this week:

Do you drink more at the:

Pesach Seder?
Purim Seudah?

A Freilichin Purim!

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Email your questions and comments to kosherwinepodcast@gmail.com

In The Kosher Wine Podcast Superbowl Halftime Show, Season 2 Episode 8, Dr. Kenny Friedman and Rabbi Bernath discuss their observations of the recent KFWE held on February 3, 2026 in the Meadowlands, NJ.

They each have critiques on what could be improved and chat on the following topics:

Length of the event
New Wines
Trade vs. Public
Location of Show
Crowd
Food
Personalities

Dr. Kenny and Rabbi Bernath cover all this ground in just 15 minutes so you can have a tznius halftime and get back to the game!

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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