L'Chaim

L'chaim- Users Guide to Kosher Wine 1.0

“L’chaim – Users Guide to Kosher Wine 1.0”

·         Over 850 Kosher Wines Listed

·         Maurie’s Ratings

·         Food Parings—Recipes

·     Practical Wine Knowledge 

Now available: www.amazon.com      or        www.guidetokosherwine.com

Traveling to LA?

Traveling to LA? Don’t miss the chance to visit to the Herzog Winery and Visitors Center in Oxnard California and plan for a meal at the winery’s kosher restaurant, Tierra Sur, (OU hechsher) but be sure to make reservations (they are required on Sundays). There are almost a hundred kosher restaurants in Greater LA and many really fines ones but the one at the winery is truly a unique and extraordinary culinary experience. 

After a morning arrival at LAX, in late September, my wife and I made our way up the Pacific Coast Highway for a snack at the kosher Malabu Grill and a chance to do tashlich, right across the street, from the Malabu fishing pier.

We continued up the coast on Route 1 and past the strawberry fields to Oxnard and Herzog visitor center. It is a state of the art, 77,000 square foot, facility opened in 2005 in a new industrial center. It is thoughtfully designed with a free self guided tour along an enclosed mezzanine that runs throughout the entire facility with large windows overlooking the complete range of activities that include processing, barrel storage, bottling, and laboratory. The other walls are filled with informative displays and reference to make the most of the journey. Also included are a beautiful wine tasting area and large gift shop filled with fabulous wine accessories and books.

We had the great pleasure to meet Chef Todd Arrons who has created an extraordinary gourmet menu of Nouveau Mediterranean seasonal cuisine that is as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate. Take a gaze at their fall menu, posted on www.herzog.com and tell me if you can’t feel your mouth water in anticipation. In the true spirit of culinary adventure we could not pass up the chance to try the three courses “Wine Tasting Menu” each perfectly complimented with the appropriate choice of wine. A true culinary delight and an enophiles dream.  

Tierra Sur Restaurant

The décor is comfortable with vaulted ceilings. The feature is an open kitchen where you can observe with fascination the symphony of activity contributing to a wonderful dining experience. There is an outdoor patio with the unmistakable aroma of the mesquite grill they use to cook the pomegranate marinated lamb, the rib eye steak and king salmon over an open flame.

Located less than an hour from LA and just at the southern extreme of the Central Coast California wine area, the name “Tierra Sur” is derived from a reference to a Spanish twist on the French word for soil “terrior” (or more specifically the quality of the soil as it refers to wine) and means “south soil” also a suggestion of its location and the regional influence on the cuisine.

Joseph Herzog and winemaker Peter Stern are often in attendance so look for the chance to say hello and give them our regards.

Kosher Wine Book due in June

Watch for the release of my new book:

"L'chaim - Users Guide to Kosher Wine 1.0"

It presents a basic, illustrated, primer for the joys and uses of kosher wine with listing of over 800 kosher wines from all over the world. It includes history, glossary, recipes, wine basics, toasts, food pairing suggestions and a discussion of kosher in both content and context.

·       Over 800 Kosher Wines Listed

·       Maurie’s Ratings

·       Food Parings—Recipes

·       Practical Wine Knowledge