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work,” says Phil. “You just have to follow the rules set by the
supervising rabbi and not try and question why. Trying to rationalize
why things are done, in any religion, is irrelevant. The less
one questions the reasons, and focuses on how to do it, the easier
it becomes.”
Evan’s Vineyard produced the first batch of kosher wine
in 2010 from grapes purchased from top-tier vineyards in
Washington and Oregon. They produced 6,000 cases of two
varietals – Pacifica Oregon Pinot Noir and Pacifica Washington
Meritage.
The Northwest wines are supervised by Rabbi Tzvi Fischer of
Oregon Kosher.
“We, the Oregon Kosher supervisors, were the laborers,”
says Fischer. The crew of observant workers spent a couple
days at the vineyard for the first “crush” and then returned
after the grapes had fermented a few days for the next stage of
production.
The wines are aged at Evan’s Vineyard to the point of bottling
and then shipped to Herzog in California for bottling at Royal
Wines’ large bottling facility in Oxnard.
Evan’s Vineyard is now producing grapes for white varieties,
“but I have no plans at this time to make white wines. We
sell those grapes to other wineries. Our pinot noir plantings
will come on in about two years,” says Phil, adding they will
continue to buy grapes from other vineyards to supplement their
own red varieties.
The two Northwest wines and two of the couple’s New
Zealand wines were introduced to locals at a February event at
the Oregon Jewish Museum that paired each wine with food
prepared by Allen Levin’s Century Catering.
“Allen talked to the winemaker to pair the wine and food,
and the food was fabulous,” says Rabbi Fischer. “The winemakers
explained each wine and what flavors it has and why it was
paired with specific food. They taught people how to ‘taste”
wine.”
The menu featured coriander braised lentils with croutons
and saffron aiolo paired with Goose Bay Sauvignon Blanc;
salmon with a mushroom and leek confit paired with Goose Bay
Pinot Noir; chicken hazelnut paté with blackcurrant compote
paired with Pacifica Oregon Pinot Noir; and individual beef
bourguignon pot pies paired with Pacifica Washington Meritage.
The rabbi and Phil agree the event was well received.
“Not being Jewish and being so involved with the Jewish
community is very interesting,” says Phil. “I enjoy working with
a smaller community of people in the wine world. In the bigger
world of wine any one winemaker or winery gets lost in the
crowd … not true in the kosher world.”
“Rabbi Fischer and his crew are wonderful to work with
and always willing to bend over to help,” he adds. “There are so
many people to thank for their support but if I had to choose
one person that has been so supportive to all of the efforts in
New Zealand and the Northwest, it would be Nathan Herzog at
Royal Wines. We don’t see each other very often but he is always
there to help when needed. Without his early support and efforts
none of these wines would have been made.”
But your eyes shall see your teacher;
But your eyes shall see your teacher;
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, say
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
This is the way, walk This in is it the way, walk in it
Isaiah 30:20-21
Isaiah 30:20-21
It is with great joy and enthuthusiasm that we
welcome Rabbi Rachel L. Joseph
as CBI’s new Assistant Rabbi
OREGON JEWISH LIFE | JULY 2012 31