Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir

Nestled in the ancient hills where Jacob once dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven, Hillel & Nina Manne have created something extraordinary, a boutique winery that transforms biblical terroir into world-class kosher wines. This episode takes you to Beit El Winery, where tradition meets innovation in every bottle.

With disarming candor and refreshing pragmatism, Hillel shares his journey from agricultural studies at UC Davis to establishing vineyards in the historically rich Judean hills. "I make wine that I like, my family and I drink as much as we can, and what's left over we sell," he tells us with characteristic straightforwardness. This philosophy—focusing on personal enjoyment rather than market trends—has paradoxically led to remarkable success.

The Manne family's approach to winemaking challenges conventional wisdom at every turn. In comparison, many winemakers tout minimal intervention, but Hillel advocates for active management in the vineyard, resulting in higher phenolics and more developed flavors. His Carignan, initially planted as a "simple wine" for neighbors, has become their signature offering, beloved for its approachability and complexity. Meanwhile, their Merlot defies the varietal's often maligned reputation to become another standout in their portfolio.

What makes this story particularly compelling is how the family maintains complete control from vineyard to bottle. Now joined by sons Meir and Shalom David, they produce approximately 40,000 bottles annually, with plans for modest growth while maintaining their boutique identity. Their wines span multiple tiers, from the popular Sulam Yaakov (Jacob's Ladder) line to limited special releases like the 5757.

Whether you're a wine enthusiast, a student of agricultural innovation, or simply fascinated by how ancient land can yield modern excellence, this conversation offers remarkable insights into a family that has turned its passion into liquid poetry. Open a bottle of something special and join us for this unforgettable journey through the kosher terroir of Beit El.

Hillel Manne Owner, Winemaker / Nina Manne, COO

Visiting the Winery (by Appointment)

Sunday - Friday 8am - 4pm

Phone: +972 (0)54-724-0935

Support the show

www.TheKosherTerroir.com
+972-58-731-1567
+1212-999-4444
TheKosherTerroir@gmail.com
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Thursdays 6:30pm Eastern Time on the NSN Network and the NSN App

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir

There's something magical about beginnings—especially when they're rooted in volcanic soil under sweeping Golan skies. Join me for an unforgettable visit to Sha'al, where Sam and Rivka Baum are writing the next chapter of Israel's wine story with their Family Baum Winery.

After years at prestigious Castel Winery, Sam identified this northern Golan location as "the best area in the whole Levant" for viticulture. The evidence is compelling: deep soil with perfect water retention, volcanic basalt for drainage, dramatic temperature shifts between day and night, and uniquely low soil pH that makes minerals readily available to the vines. Standing among newly planted Syrah and Carignan rows with fierce winds whipping around us, I could feel the potential humming in the air.

The Baums' story isn't just about terroir—it's about resilience. Sam called Rivka from Gaza during his military service: "We have to harvest in four days." While he fought, she carried their winemaking dream forward with determination and community support. Their 2024 vintage marks their first implementation of the Syrah-Carignan blend that will define their flagship wine, and tasting it straight from the barrel revealed remarkable complexity with red fruit notes balanced by deeper tobacco and leather tones.

What struck me most during my visit wasn't just the wine—it was their philosophy. The Baums are creating a true "farm-to-table" winery, controlling every aspect from vineyard to bottle. Rather than expanding endlessly, they've committed to perfecting a single exceptional flagship wine that truly expresses this special place. Their first estate-grown vintage won't arrive until 2030, but based on what I tasted, the wait will be worthwhile.

Want to experience Israel's next great wine story as it unfolds? Follow the Baum Family Winery and discover what happens when passion, expertise, and extraordinary terroir come together.

Please follow Sam and Rifka at the following :

on Instagram @familybaumwinery
and
on Facebook - Family Baum Winery

Support the show

www.TheKosherTerroir.com
+972-58-731-1567
+1212-999-4444
TheKosherTerroir@gmail.com
Link to Join “The Kosher Terroir” WhatsApp Chat
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Thursdays 6:30pm Eastern Time on the NSN Network and the NSN App

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir

The somber days leading to Tisha B'Av bring us face-to-face with profound loss and spiritual yearning. Why do we refrain from wine during this period of mourning? The answer lies not just in ancient texts but in the very soil of Jewish history and practice.

Wine flows through Jewish tradition as a symbol of both celebration and sanctification. When we abstain before Tisha B'Av, we're acknowledging the absence of true joy without the Temple service, where wine libations once accompanied sacred offerings. This practice varies among communities – Sephardim typically observe during the week of Tisha B'Av, Ashkenazim from Rosh Chodesh, and some Hasidic traditions from the 17th of Tammuz. As Rav Soloveitchik taught, this isn't merely about grief but about profound yearning for spiritual wholeness.

Remarkably, recent archaeological discoveries have unearthed 1,500-year-old grape seeds in the Negev Desert, revealing an ancient wine culture that thrived against impossible odds. These desert vineyards – with their ingenious irrigation systems and terraced landscapes – flourished until cultural shifts buried this knowledge beneath centuries of sand. The story of these forgotten vineyards mirrors our own cyclical narrative of loss and rediscovery.

As we approach the ninth of Av, remember that beneath the surface of mourning lies dormant hope. Like those ancient grape seeds, waiting for the right conditions to flourish again, we await the day when wine will be poured not in remembrance of loss but in celebration of redemption. Join us in this exploration of wine, memory, and the seeds of future joy.

Support the show

www.TheKosherTerroir.com
+972-58-731-1567
+1212-999-4444
TheKosherTerroir@gmail.com
Link to Join “The Kosher Terroir” WhatsApp Chat
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EHmgm2u5lQW9VMzhnoM7C9
Thursdays 6:30pm Eastern Time on the NSN Network and the NSN App

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir

We take a behind-the-scenes look at Shiloh Winery's beautiful new visitor center for an exclusive first taste with Itay Metzger, VP & Winemaker at Shiloh Winery, of two groundbreaking wines that represent bold new directions for one of Israel's premier wineries.

What happens when traditional winemakers become students again? The answer lies in these two remarkable bottles: Shiloh's first-ever Tannat varietal and their inaugural Pinot Noir, both from the prestigious Secret Reserve line. These aren't just new wines—they're completely new expressions that challenge preconceptions about Israeli winemaking.

The journey of these wines is particularly poignant. Harvested in 2023, they were produced during one of the most challenging periods in Israeli history. Following October 7th, approximately 90% of Shiloh's workforce left to serve in the military, leaving just three people to complete the harvest and initial winemaking. That such exceptional wines emerged from such adversity makes their quality even more remarkable.

With the Tannat, winemaker Amichai Lourie takes a grape typically reserved for blending and transforms it into a standout varietal. Through careful barrel selection—aging first in neutral oak to tame its famously aggressive tannins, then finishing in American oak to "break the sharp corners"—he's created a beautifully balanced wine with complex aromatics that continue evolving long after opening.

The Pinot Noir represents an even more unexpected departure. Produced initially as a test batch and aged in delicate low-toast barrels, this light-bodied wine offers a fascinating contradiction: powerful, complex aromatics (featuring notes of strawberry, mint, and eucalyptus) coupled with subtle, layered flavors that unfold gradually. This creates what Shiloh's representative Itai describes as a "brain game" that keeps the wine engaging with each sip.

Listen as we explore the philosophy behind these wines—one where experimentation, humility, and openness to learning create space for innovation. These aren't wines for casual drinking; they're complex expressions that reward patience, attention, and appreciation—truly "wines for wine lovers."

For more information about Shiloh Winery, contact:

Amichai +972-50-342-2268

Ami@shilohwinery.com

​Main office: Office@shilohwinery.com

For the Visitor Center Reservations: +972-50-355-4764

​Address: Shiloh Winery, Shiloh Industrial Zone, Israel

Support the show

www.TheKosherTerroir.com
+972-58-731-1567
+1212-999-4444
TheKosherTerroir@gmail.com
Link to Join “The Kosher Terroir” WhatsApp Chat
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EHmgm2u5lQW9VMzhnoM7C9
Thursdays 6:30pm Eastern Time on the NSN Network and the NSN App

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir

Step into the sun-drenched vineyards of Anava, where founder Nadav Jesselson transforms traditional winemaking into a community adventure. Fresh from their inaugural harvest, Nadav shares the triumphs and challenges of nurturing vines through Israel's demanding climate – and the unexpected honor of having their first vintage selected by prestigious Yatir Winery.

What distinguishes Anava from other vineyards is its innovative approach, allowing wine enthusiasts to own personal plots while participating in every aspect of the vineyard-to-bottle journey. Nadav passionately explains how this creates not just excellent wine, but also meaningful connections between people sharing the experience, between individuals and their inner selves through mindful tasting, and between humans and the specific land that nurtures these vines.

Beyond wine production, Anava partners with youth organizations to provide transformative experiences where vineyard tasks become metaphors for personal growth. As Nadav expands his "playground of varieties" with new plantings of Mediterranean-suited Carignan and Grenache, he invites listeners to consider what it means to create not just bottles but legacy – a project uniting community, education, and Israel's ancient winemaking tradition into something truly special.

or more Information:
ANAVA VINEYARDS
Nadav & Moriah Jesselson
Address: 7 Hacharuv St. Nechusah, 9988300 Israel
Email: info@anavavineyards.com
Questions or to Visit: Racheli Arieli +972(0)50-717-5479

Support the show

www.TheKosherTerroir.com
+972-58-731-1567
+1212-999-4444
TheKosherTerroir@gmail.com
Link to Join “The Kosher Terroir” WhatsApp Chat
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EHmgm2u5lQW9VMzhnoM7C9
Thursdays 6:30pm Eastern Time on the NSN Network and the NSN App

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir

Nestled among the rolling Judean hills sits Anava Vineyards, a place where passion, personal connection, and profound terroir converge to create something truly extraordinary. More than simply producing wine, Anava offers individuals and families the rare opportunity to craft wine from their own plots of land in Israel, guided by a world-class winemaking team.

Returning to our podcast, Nadav Jesselson shares how Anava has evolved through challenging times, including navigating the disruptions of war and military service while continuing to nurture both vines and community. In Part One of this episode, we explore the meticulous process of "designing" young vineyards – the careful training of vines that transforms mere plants into productive bearers of quality fruit. This labor of love demands patience, precision, and a profound understanding of agriculture.

The heart of our conversation reveals Anava's unique vision: creating lasting connections to the Land of Israel through wine. Each owner receives their own plot, separately planted and personally named, transforming anonymous rows into meaningful spaces with stories – "Fortress" from a Colorado family, "Yekev Merav" named for an owner's wife. These aren't just vineyard parcels; they're pieces of legacy that can be passed down through generations.

What makes this experience particularly meaningful for Jewish owners is the opportunity to fulfill agricultural commandments specific to the Land of Israel – Shmita (the sabbatical year), Orla (the prohibition on the first three years' produce), and Neta Revai (special rules relating to fourth-year produce). For those living abroad, this represents a rare connection to ancient traditions otherwise inaccessible.

Recognizing that not everyone can make the substantial commitment of full ownership, Anava is developing more accessible options, including the chance to participate for a single vintage cycle – allowing more people to experience this profound connection to land and tradition.

Ready to turn your dream of owning an Israeli vineyard into reality? Join us to discover how Anava Vineyards offers more than wine – it offers a piece of Israel you can call your own.

or more Information:
ANAVA VINEYARDS
Nadav & Moriah Jesselson
Address: 7 Hacharuv St. Nechusah, 9988300 Israel
Email: info@anavavineyards.com
Questions or to Visit: Racheli Arieli +972(0)50-717-5479

Support the show

www.TheKosherTerroir.com
+972-58-731-1567
+1212-999-4444
TheKosherTerroir@gmail.com
Link to Join “The Kosher Terroir” WhatsApp Chat
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EHmgm2u5lQW9VMzhnoM7C9
Thursdays 6:30pm Eastern Time on the NSN Network and the NSN App

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir

What does it take to create a perfect wine? Is it even possible? And is Israel ready to produce a bottle that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's most acclaimed wines?

Deep in the hills of Shiloh, winemaker Amichai Lourie isn't just crafting excellent kosher wines – he's on a mission to create Israel's first 100-point wine. His newest releases, the Legend series, represent not just exceptional winemaking but a philosophical statement about Israel's place in the wine world.

Named after King David's legendary warriors – Itai, Adino, and Ira – these wines embody the Jewish concept of "safra v'saifa" (the pen and the sword), reflecting the balance between scholarly wisdom and decisive action. Each wine tells a different story: the medium-bodied, spice-forward Ira challenging preconceptions about complexity; the elegantly powerful Itai with its remarkable mint notes; and the bold, quintessentially "Shiloh" Adino.

What separates a 95-point wine from a perfect score? According to our panel of experts, including Royal Wine's Gabriel Geller and Jay Buchsbaum, the distinction can be subjective, political, and occasionally transformative. A 100-point Israeli wine wouldn't just represent a personal achievement for Amichai – it would signal Israel's arrival on the world stage as a premier winemaking region.

The conversation ranges from tasting notes to barrel selection, from biblical warriors to modern marketing, all united by a passion for excellence and the belief that Israeli wine's greatest moments still lie ahead. Whether you're a collector, casual wine lover, or someone fascinated by the pursuit of perfection, this episode offers an intimate look at what drives one of Israel's most ambitious winemakers.

Pour yourself a glass of something special and join us as we explore what makes these wines worthy of our highest praise, but we're not just tasting wines, we're chasing legends.

For more information about Shiloh Winery, Please contact:

Amichai +972-50-342-2268

Ami@shilohwinery.com

​Main office: Office@shilohwinery.com

For the Visitor Center Reservations: +972-50-355-4764

​Address: Shiloh Winery, Shiloh Industrial Zone, Israel

Support the show

www.TheKosherTerroir.com
+972-58-731-1567
+1212-999-4444
TheKosherTerroir@gmail.com
Link to Join “The Kosher Terroir” WhatsApp Chat
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EHmgm2u5lQW9VMzhnoM7C9
Thursdays 6:30pm Eastern Time on the NSN Network and the NSN App