Episode 119: Simon Jacob takes a look at Israel's Amphorae Winery and their first premium kosher wines under the "Samuel" label.

Welcome to The Kosher Terroir - 

Inside Amphorae’s First Premium Kosher Wines Under The "Samuel" Label

Amphora has been one of those names that instantly signal ultra-premium Israeli wine. For kosher wine lovers, it has also been the ultimate “so close, yet so far” winery, respected from a distance but missing from the Shabbat table. That gap finally closes as Amphora launches its first kosher lineup: four new wines released under the Samuel label, and we get the rare chance to visit the estate, tour the facilities, and taste all four.

We talk through what it actually takes to make serious kosher wine without turning it into a compromise or a side project. That means years of planning from the ground up, making vineyards kosher, choosing the right parcels, and working within the realities of certification while protecting the winemaker’s ability to stay deeply involved. We also zoom out to the bigger story of Israeli wine right now: a clear shift from only heavy, oak-forward classics to fresher, more drinkable styles that make sense in Israel’s heat, powered by grapes like Cinsault, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, and Grenache Blanc.

Then we get specific in the glass. You’ll hear why Amphora’s “terroir” mindset creates soft, silky, summer-friendly reds, and why Ofek stands out as a uniquely bold kosher blend of Grenache Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah that doesn’t neatly resemble anything else in their portfolio. We also go into cellar details that wine geeks love: sur lie aging, torpedo or cigar barrels, the impact of different coopers and forests, and the archive library that keeps a winery honest across decades.

If you care about kosher wine, Israeli terroir, or how a world-class producer protects its identity through change, press play. After you listen, subscribe, share it with a wine friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

For more Information:
Amphorae Winery
https://amphoraewines.com/
Call or Message via WhatsApp +972 54-984-0728