The Bordeaux House That’s Been Making Kosher Wine Since 1997

Maison Rivière has been producing kosher wines continuously since 1997. Nearly three decades of unbroken production across multiple Bordeaux appellations place it among the longest-running kosher wine programs in the region. In a part of the wine world where many kosher projects appear for a few vintages and disappear just as quickly, that kind of consistency is rare and worth paying attention to.

Based in Saint-Émilion, Maison Rivière is a family-owned wine house founded in 1875 and still run by the same family today. For over 150 years and five generations, the Rivière family has worked continuously in the Bordeaux wine trade, taking responsibility for vineyards, cellar work, and relationships across the region.

Today, the house is led by brothers Jean-Pierre and Philippe Rivière, who oversee both the estate and négociant sides of the business. The family manages six châteaux, representing 90 hectares of vineyards spread across Saint-Émilion Grand Cru and neighboring appellations. Vineyard management and vinification remain under direct family supervision, while négociant wines are produced through grower partnerships that, in many cases, span several decades.

Over time, the family has expanded carefully, adding properties and refining practices without altering the structure that has defined the house for generations. Estate production and négociant activity have long operated side by side, giving Maison Rivière a level of consistency that has proven durable over time, including in its kosher work.

Producer First, Négociant by Extension

In Bordeaux, the words producer and négociant carry histories as layered as the soils themselves, and the distinction between them matters far more than most wine drinkers ever realize.

To be a producer is to be rooted. It means owning the land, tending the vines through the quiet rhythms of the growing season, and making wine from grapes whose fate is guided from budbreak to harvest. Yields are decided parcel by parcel; harvest dates are chosen not by the calendar but by taste and intuition. Vinification and aging unfold under the same hands, year after year, shaped by continuity, memory, and an intimate understanding of place.

A négociant, by contrast, works across the region rather than within a single vineyard. Grapes, must, or finished wines are sourced from growers. From there, vinification, aging, blending, bottling, and distribution are overseen to translate many voices into a coherent expression of Bordeaux.

Maison Rivière does both, but the foundation is production.

Clos des Menuts: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Clos des Menuts is the historic core of the Maison Rivière portfolio (first Kosher production in 2002). Located just outside the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, the site has documented wine history dating back to 1538, when Franciscan monks known as the Fray Menuts sold wine from this land. The estate still uses monolithic limestone cellars carved into the rock centuries ago, providing naturally stable conditions for aging.

The property was acquired by the Rivière family in 1956 and gradually expanded to its current 25 hectares, planted mainly to Merlot, with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The village of Saint-Émilion is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a designation tied directly to the continuity of its winegrowing history. That history is visible throughout the town, including on the stone walls themselves, where names of past wine merchants and négociants remain engraved. Among them appears Pierre Rivière; the family’s presence in Saint-Émilion is literally written into the village walls.

At Clos des Menuts, that heritage extends below ground. The estate’s monolithic limestone cellars, carved directly into the rock, form part of the same underground network that runs beneath the village. These spaces have been used for centuries for wine storage, benefiting from naturally stable temperature and humidity conditions that require no modern intervention.

In keeping with Saint-Émilion’s tradition as a living historical site, the cellars at Clos des Menuts remain open to the public. Visitors can walk through the underground galleries as part of the broader village experience, encountering working wine cellars that are still actively used rather than preserved as static monuments. 

In 2001, the family began transitioning vineyard practices toward integrated and environmentally responsible viticulture. By 2015, chemical inputs had been eliminated, and in 2019, the estate earned HVE3 certification, the French standard for sustainable farming.

In 2007, Clos des Menuts began working with Stéphane Derenoncourt, one of Bordeaux’s leading wine-makers, refining parcel selection and vinification toward balance, precision, and complexity. His involvement also led to the creation of L’Excellence du Clos des Menuts, a cuvée drawn from the estate’s best parcels (which will be released in Kosher for the first time in 2026). 

Today, Clos des Menuts produces a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru that leans classic in profile. The wine shows ripe Merlot-driven fruit with notes of black cherry, plum, and subtle spice, supported by limestone freshness and fine-grained tannins. The structure favors balance over power, with enough depth to age comfortably. At the table, it works naturally with roasted meats, lamb, duck, and dishes built around mushrooms or slow-cooked sauces.

Château de Callac: Where the Kosher Story Began

Kosher production at Maison Rivière began for simple, human reasons. The family had Jewish friends who could not drink their wines, and the question came up naturally: whether the wines they had spent generations producing could be shared at the same table. That curiosity led them to explore kosher production seriously.

As a long-established Bordeaux house, widening access to their wines felt like stewardship; an extension of the idea that Bordeaux wines should be open to as many people as possible, without changing what they are.

The first Kosher production began with the 1997 harvest at Château de Callac, in the heart of the Graves appellation. At the time, kosher Bordeaux wines were not the category it is today, and estate-level kosher production was still the exception rather than the rule.

Château de Callac sits on classic gravel soils, the same deep, stony beds that give Graves its name and its reputation for structured, age-worthy wines. These soils drain quickly and retain heat, making them particularly well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The result is a wine style that is firmer, more linear, and more traditionally Bordeaux in profile.

Because the Rivière family owned the property outright, they could reorganize cellar work to meet kosher requirements. Dedicated equipment, strict supervision, and carefully planned harvest logistics were built directly into the winery’s routine. What began as a single kosher production quickly became a working model for producing kosher wine within their Bordeaux estates.

Today, Château de Callac remains a cornerstone of the range. Its kosher Graves wines show dark fruit, structure, and a savory edge that works naturally with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and heartier dishes. Just as importantly, the estate represents the starting point of a kosher program that would later expand across Bordeaux and beyond.

From Experiment to Annual Production

In 2002, Maison Rivière produced its first kosher Saint-Émilion. By 2005, kosher production had become annual and has remained so ever since. Today, the kosher range includes: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Graves, Médoc, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur, Pomerol, Lalande de Pomerol, and Saint-Estèphe.

Maison Rivière’s kosher wines have been carried by KosherWine.com since 2016, a relationship that developed naturally over time. While representing the Maison Rivière portfolio in the non-kosher market, I became increasingly aware of the depth and consistency of their kosher productions. After tasting through the range, it was clear to me that these wines deserved a partner in the U.S. who approached kosher wine with the same seriousness and long-term perspective that defines the rest of Maison Rivière’s work. I reached out to KosherWine.com, and what began with a modest mixed pallet as their first order gradually grew, year after year, into a deeper collaboration, eventually expanding into multiple container shipments annually. That progression reflected not just demand, but a shared confidence - in the wines, in the market, and in the belief that kosher Bordeaux belongs fully within the broader Bordeaux tradition, not apart from it.

The Negotiant Work

Maison Rivière has also operated for decades as a Bordeaux négociant, with access to top classified growths through long-standing allocations.

In the Rivière warehouses, cases from earlier decades remain part of the stock. Bottles from the 1970s and 1980s (including Lafite and Mouton) are stored alongside later vintages, organized by château and year.

Time moves differently at Maison Rivière. The business has passed through five generations, and decisions tend to be made with the next one in mind. 

Relationships with other châteaux in the region span generations too. Many of the grower and estate partnerships in place today were established decades ago and maintained as family responsibilities rather than renegotiated from scratch.

In 2022, Maison Rivière began advising Classified Bordeaux estates on kosher wine production, helping them navigate supervision, cellar organization, and logistics without disrupting existing winemaking practices. By 2025, this role expanded beyond Bordeaux, with Maison Rivière coordinating kosher productions in Côtes de Provence, the Rhône Valley, and Bourgogne for the Israeli market.

After nearly three decades of continuous kosher production, that experience has become transferable. Thirty years of kosher winemaking is not just a milestone. It reflects commitment, accumulated knowledge, and a family structure capable of thinking in decades rather than vintages.

For kosher wine drinkers, that continuity translates into something tangible. You can open a Maison Rivière bottle with confidence that it will taste like Bordeaux should, that it will work at the table, and that it comes from a house that has been doing this, quietly and consistently, for a long time.

About The Author

​​Pierre Marcelin is the U.S. Export Director for Maison Rivière, where he has worked closely with the family for more than twelve years. Originally from Bordeaux and now based in the United States, he represents the Maison Rivière estates and spends his time helping importers and wine lovers discover Bordeaux wines from across the region, including the house’s kosher bottlings.

In the heart of Israel’s vibrant wine landscape, Carmel Winery stands as a beacon of tradition and innovation - a pioneer that has shaped the story of kosher winemaking for over a century. From the historic cellars of Zichron Ya’akov to the global stage, Carmel continues to blend heritage with modern flair, delivering wines that captivate palates and celebrate life’s moments. Today, we’re spotlighting two standout offerings: the reliable Private Collection series and the playful Carmel BUZZ flavored Moscato line, both embodying Carmel’s commitment to quality, accessibility, and kosher excellence.

Private Collection: A Pillar of Consistency and Value

As Carmel Winery’s flagship commercial series, Private Collection exemplifies unwavering reliability, exceptional value, and the essence of kosher wine craftsmanship. Drawing from Israel’s sun-kissed vineyards, these wines are crafted in a contemporary Mediterranean style—clean, fruit-forward, and effortlessly approachable, with balanced structure and smooth drinkability that appeals to both novices and connoisseurs.

This versatile portfolio features a full spectrum of classic varietals, including bold Cabernet Sauvignon, elegant Merlot, spicy Shiraz, refreshing Rosé, crisp White, and sweet Moscato. Each bottle invites you to explore the rich terroir of Israel, where ancient roots meet modern techniques for wines that shine in any setting.

The label’s emblem, inspired by the iconic wine cellars of Zichron Ya’akov, pays homage to Carmel’s deep historical ties to the land. It’s a symbol of the winery’s enduring legacy in pioneering Israeli viticulture, ensuring every sip tells a story of heritage and passion.

What truly sets Private Collection apart is its ability to deliver dependable, high-quality kosher wines at a competitive price point. Whether gracing your Shabbat table, a family gathering, or an everyday indulgence, these wines have become a cornerstone of Carmel’s global success, performing consistently across markets and earning loyalty from wine lovers worldwide.

Carmel BUZZ: A Spark of Fun and Freshness

For those seeking a lighter, more adventurous twist, Carmel BUZZ brings innovation to the forefront with its flavored Moscato line—a vibrant celebration of flavor and fizz that’s redefining casual kosher sipping.

These wines are light, aromatic, and gently sparkling, boasting a fruity character, low alcohol content (just 5.5% ABV), and a refreshingly easy-drinking style. Perfect for warm days, social gatherings, or simply unwinding, BUZZ captures the joy of tropical escapades in every bubble.

The lineup bursts with playful, exotic flavors: juicy Pineapple, sun-ripened Mango, succulent Peach, crisp Watermelon, and tart Apple. Each one is meticulously crafted to be fun, approachable, and utterly irresistible—ideal for brunches, picnics, or adding a splash of excitement to your kosher celebrations.

As Carmel Winery’s Head Winemaker Yiftah Perets aptly puts it: “Private Collection and BUZZ represent the duality of our craft - timeless tradition paired with bold innovation, all while honoring our kosher roots and the spirit of Israel.”

In a world of endless choices, Carmel Winery’s Private Collection and BUZZ stand out as testaments to quality without compromise. Whether you’re drawn to the structured elegance of a classic red or the effervescent delight of a flavored sparkler, these wines invite you to experience the best of Israeli kosher winemaking. Raise a glass to heritage, flavor, and joy - discover Carmel today and let the celebration begin.

If you have ever stopped to read the label of your favorite bottle of wine and seen the word “sulfites” and thought to yourself, What’s that and what does it do, we have got some answers for you. Sulfites have been accused of being the cause of many side effects of indulging in wine, from headaches to hangovers; yet most people don’t know the first thing about them. Recently, sulfite-free and low-sulfite wines have seen an increase in popularity, especially in the kosher world. Let’s break down what sulfites do and what they don’t.

What Are Sulfites?

Sulfites form naturally as part of the wine’s fermentation process, when the yeast produces sulfur dioxide (SO2) while converting the sugars inside the grape into alcohol. In other words, every wine has some sulfites, even if only trace amounts. Sulfites act as a natural preservative, ensuring that when the wine hits your table, it will be as fresh as possible.

Why Are Sulfites Added to Wine?

As we just mentioned, sulfites are a preservative, and for winemakers, sulfites are the perfect insurance policy. Aside from preserving freshness, sulfites are added to prevent unwanted bacterial growth, oxidation, or wild yeast from spoiling the wine. Without having the proper amount of sulfites, wine can very quickly become vinegar.

Does Organic Wine Contain Sulfites?

This is a tricky one. Depending on where you live, the legal relationship varies between organic wine and sulfites. For example, in the United States, any wine deemed organic will have no added sulfites, only the ones that are created as part of the natural fermentation process. In Europe, however, organic wines can have a small amount of added sulfites, but much less than your typical bottle of wine. In short, organic wines will still have sulfites, but far less than a non-organic bottle.

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

Compared to other bottles of wine, low-sulfite wines will have a fresher and more vibrant flavor profile compared to conventional bottles of wine. Without the added sulfites, the natural flavors will shine, giving the wine a juicier taste. They can also be earthier in taste, reflecting the uniqueness of the vineyard and terroir in which the grapes were grown. In addition, because these wines do not have the added sulfites, their flavors can change quickly, giving you an exciting and unpredictable experience.

Are Sulfites Bad For You?

For most people, the amount of sulfites found in wine poses no health risk. In addition, if someone is having a “wine headache,” it has nothing to do with the sulfites in the wine, but more to do with other properties of the wine. Things like the histamines, tannins, dehydration, or simply the alcohol will be the leading causes of a “wine headache.”

Low-sulfite wines are a great choice if you want the most natural-tasting wine. From fruit-forward reds to elegant blends, there is a low-sulfite wine for everyone. No added sulfites means that you are connecting more with the wine, the terroir, the vineyard, and even the winemaker; tasting clean, natural flavors. Explore our selection of kosher, organic, and low-sulfite wines today.

Do you know that feeling when you eat or drink something and you immediately think to yourself, “where has this been my whole life?” Let me introduce you to ice wine. With the taste of luxury in every sip, ice wine bursts with flavor and feels like you are drinking winter in a glass. Let’s do a deep dive into what makes ice wine the showstopper you need in your wine collection.

What is Ice Wine?

Ice wine - or Eiswein, as it's called in Germany - is made from grapes that have frozen naturally on their vine. Making ice wine is a high-risk, high-reward venture, as winemakers must wait for below-freezing temperatures for the water inside each grape to freeze. In addition, they also have to hope the grapes won’t be subject to rot or fall prey to a curious bird looking for a snack. When the grapes are harvested, usually late at night or first thing on a bitterly cold morning, the ice wine grapes leave behind a highly concentrated and deeply sweet juice.

Why Makes Ice Wine Unique?

Ice wine relies on patience and climate. Other sweet wines are made by drying the grapes or when the grapes go through the noble rot process and dehydrate. On the other hand, ice wine is solely dependent on the climate. If the weather isn’t exactly as it needs to be, the entire harvest can be lost. Producing ice wine is a labor of love, with zero shortcuts and a small yield from the harvested grapes.

Where is Ice Wine Grown?

Needing the coldest of temperatures to grow ice wine, regions like Canada, Germany, and Austria produce most of the ice wine on the market. There are also small amounts of ice wine produced in the New York Finger Lakes region.

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

When drinking ice wine, think of it as having your dessert in a glass. You can expect aromas of mango and stone fruit, as well as honey. Certain ice wine grapes, like Riesling, will even give off citrus and floral notes. As you bring the glass to your lips and take that sip, the ice wine will be velvety with concentrated flavors of tropical fruits.

What Does Ice Wine Pair With?

Sweet wines like ice wine are a perfect match for dessert. The crispness of the ice wine will complement classics like cheesecake and crème brûlée. But don’t think ice wine should only be enjoyed with dessert. Ice wine also goes well with savory foods like foie gras, smoked salmon, or creamy brie cheese for a perfect balance of salty and sweet.

How to Enjoy Ice Wine?

Like most dessert wines, ice wine should be served in small glasses to help concentrate the flavor and enhance the experience. Chill the wine for a few hours before you plan to drink. This is not a wine you want to drink quickly; sip it slowly, let the flavors develop on the palate, and enjoy this taste of luxury in a glass.

The story of Zion Winery begins in 1848, within the Old City of Jerusalem. Established by the Shor family, the winery has remained in family ownership and management for over 177 years. Today, it is recognized as the 5th largest winery in Israel. Yet, it continues to operate with the ethos of a family estate, where tradition, continuity, and attention to detail are central values.

Now located on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem, at the edge of the Judean Desert, the winery draws grapes from carefully selected vineyards across Israel, ranging from the northern Golan Heights to the southern Negev. This broad geographical scope allows for a rich diversity of terroirs while maintaining the consistent style and quality that define Zion wines.

The Capital Label

Capital is the winery’s flagship label, named after Jerusalem itself. The range reflects both quality and accessibility, with several wines achieving recognition in Israel’s leading wine competitions as well as on the international stage.

• Cabernet Sauvignon – classic in style, fruit-forward with balanced structure and a lingering finish.
• Merlot – soft, rounded, with layered complexity; widely regarded for its substantial value at its price point.
• Lions Gate Red – a blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Merlot; rustic, spicy, and fruit-driven.
• Lions Gate White – a fresh and aromatic blend of Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat (unavailable in the U.S.)
• Rosé – crisp, refreshing, with bright acidity and delicate berry notes.

Each of these wines has earned awards, including gold medals at the Challenge International du Vin, the Israel Wine Awards, and the Best Value Competition, as well as recognition at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

A Tradition Sustained

The continuity of the Shor family in leadership is central to the winery’s identity. CEO Yossi Shor and winemaker Zvika Shor represent the latest generation, carrying forward the work of their fathers. With Zvika Shor serving as winemaker since 1992, the winery benefits from one of the longest-standing hands-on experiences in Israeli winemaking today.

Despite its scale, Zion Winery is often described as having the feel of a boutique operation – blending the efficiency of a business with the resources of a major producer and the intimacy and craftsmanship of a family-owned winery.