Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir

The soulful journey of Jeff Morgan from jazz saxophone virtuoso to kosher wine pioneer unveils a remarkable story of passion, transformation, and unexpected spiritual connection. With natural charisma and refreshing candor, Morgan recounts his first culinary awakening in France as a 19-year-old music student that would eventually reshape his entire life's trajectory.

At the heart of this conversation lies the birth story of Covenant Winery—an enterprise that began almost as a dare between Morgan and his late business partner Leslie Rudd. Could they create a kosher wine to rival the world's finest? From securing premier Napa Valley grapes to confronting the technical challenges of kosher winemaking, Morgan's dedication to quality and authenticity shines through every anecdote.

What makes this story truly captivating is how making kosher wine became Morgan's unexpected gateway to Jewish tradition. Despite growing up disconnected from his religious heritage, the emotional moment when he pitched his kosher wine concept revealed something deeper stirring within him. Working alongside Shomer Shabbat cellar workers exposed him to Jewish prayers and practices, sparking a curiosity that would eventually lead him to embrace his heritage in profound ways.

We explore Covenant's ambitious expansion to Israel, where Morgan spent years developing wines that honored the ancient winemaking tradition of the Holy Land. Though financial challenges ultimately forced Covenant to cease Israeli operations in 2021, Morgan's passion for returning remains palpable as he shares his dream of building his own winery there someday. His genuine commitment to both exceptional winemaking and honoring Jewish tradition comes through in his latest innovations—from the Black Label series to the new Woodacre Spirits program.

Whether you're fascinated by winemaking techniques, personal transformation stories, or the intersection of tradition and innovation, this conversation offers rich insights into how one person's creative journey can revitalize an entire category of wine while simultaneously deepening their connection to heritage and faith. Ready to pour a glass and join us on this remarkable journey through music, meaning, and mastery?

For More Information:

Covenant Winery
Jeff & Jodie Morgan and Geoff Rochwarger, Owners
Jeff Morgan, Founding Winemaker
Phone: +1 (510) 559-9045
E-Mail: wine@covenantwines.com
Address: 1102 6th Street
Berkeley, California 94710
Web Site: www.CovenantWines.com

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

In this captivating second part of our conversation with Assaf Paz at Vitkin Winery, we move from vineyard stories to the glass itself. Though you can't taste through your headphones, Assaf's vivid descriptions bring each wine to life with such clarity that your imagination fills in the sensory gaps. His approach to winemaking—"taking down my ego, understanding that what I get from the fruit is amazing"—reveals itself through every sip we share.

The journey begins with a stunning Pinot Noir that defies expectations about what can grow in Israel's climate. From cool pockets in the Ella Valley comes a wine Assaf describes as "a lady that doesn't need makeup," requiring minimal intervention to express its delicate character. We move to Grenache Noir, "the Pinot of the Mediterranean," perfectly adapted to Israel's conditions with natural balance and lower alcohol levels that showcase fruit purity over power.

Whether you're new to Israeli wines or a seasoned enthusiast, this episode offers rare insight into how a master craftsman thinks about revealing a place through its grapes. Settle in, open your senses, and discover why Vitkin's portfolio represents both the present excellence and future potential of Israeli winemaking.

For More Information

Assaf Paz Winemaker

Vitkin Winery

Address: Turtle Bridge
Alexander stream , Kfar Vitkin
waze: ״Vitkin Winery״
Tel: +972-9-8663505
Fax: +972-98664179

WhatsApp: +972-54-4866355
Email: info@vitkin-winery.co.il

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 in the heart of Israel's Sharon coastal plain, Vitkin Winery has been quietly revolutionizing Israeli winemaking for over two decades. Founded in 2001, Vitkin has championed Mediterranean grape varieties that thrive in Israel's unique terroir.

Chief winemaker Assaf Paz welcomes us into his world with remarkable candor, sharing the extraordinary challenges of creating wine during wartime. Following October 7th, 2023, the entire Israeli wine industry faced unprecedented difficulties – from labor shortages as workers joined military reserves to the physical dangers of tending vineyards within rocket range of hostile borders. Despite these obstacles, the 2024 vintage yielded what Paz describes as some of Vitkin's most outstanding white and rosé wines ever, albeit at dramatically reduced yields.

The conversation takes us deep into Paz's winemaking philosophy, shaped by his unusual journey from pastry chef to internationally trained winemaker. He articulates a vision of wine as "the meeting point of science and art" and "a marriage between God and man," where the winemaker must honor what nature provides while applying technical expertise to reveal a vineyard's full potential. Paz's evolution toward creating more elegant, approachable wines without sacrificing intensity or aging potential offers fascinating insights for wine lovers interested in the craft behind their glass.

Perhaps most compelling is Vitkin's role as what the late wine critic Daniel Rogov called "Mediterranean prophets" – pioneers who recognized early that Israel's true wine identity lies not in imitating Bordeaux or Burgundy, but in embracing varieties perfectly adapted to its Mediterranean climate. This approach has been vindicated particularly in challenging hot vintages like 2010 and 2012, when Mediterranean varieties thrived while international grapes struggled.

Pour yourself a glass of something interesting and join this journey into Israeli winemaking that goes far beyond the bottle to explore questions of identity, resilience, and authentic expression of place.

For More Information

Assaf Paz Winemaker

Vitkin Winery

Address: Turtle Bridge
Alexander stream , Kfar Vitkin
waze: ״Vitkin Winery״
Tel: +972-9-8663505
Fax: +972-98664179

WhatsApp: +972-54-4866355
Email: info@vitkin-winery.co.il

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