Singing to the Yeast: A Visit with Penina Kustanowitz

The Kosher Terroir

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Wine begins with passion, curiosity, and an open heart – elements that define Penina Kustanowitz's remarkable journey into winemaking. Speaking while journeying from Jerusalem to Yerucham's Pinto Winery, Penina shares how a simple love for kosher wine blossomed into a full-fledged winemaking career that's quickly establishing her as one of Israel's rising stars.
Her story unfolds organically – from joining the RCC Club and volunteering at harvests to a fortuitous phone call that led to her first assistant winemaker position. Now armed with UC Davis certification and producing her own label, Penina invites us into the intimate world of fermentation management, barrel aging, and the surprising practice of singing to her fermenting yeast (which actually responds to her voice!).
What makes this conversation special isn't just the technical insights but the human elements woven throughout. Penina's "Upstream" California-style Chardonnay embodies her winemaking philosophy: "Make what you want to drink," even when it goes against prevailing trends. Her experiences blending wines reveal the artistic side of the craft – "like painting with grapes" to create harmonious expressions that tell a story in every sip.
The warmth and generosity of Israel's winemaking community shines through as Penina recounts how established figures freely shared knowledge and opened doors for her development. From managing the challenges of desert heat waves to the careful orchestration of harvest timelines across multiple climatic regions, we witness the unique elements that make Israeli winemaking both challenging and rewarding.
Pour yourself a glass of something wonderful and join this heartfelt conversation that captures not just how wine is made, but how a winemaker is made – through passion, perseverance, and an ever-curious spirit. Whether you're dreaming of making your own wine or simply appreciate the stories behind what's in your glass, this episode offers a taste of what's possible when you follow your palate and your heart.

For More Information:

Penina Kustanowitz : Winemaker

email: [email protected]

You can find Penina's wines at Kos Shel Beracha #16 Halamed Hei Street Jerusalem 93661 / JLMwines.com / [phone] / [phone]. They do ship throughout Israel and internationally.

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Chapters

1. Journey to Winemaking in Israel (00:00:00)

2. Penina's Wine Portfolio Introduction (00:09:00)

3. The Science of Fermentation (00:11:30)

4. The Art of Blending (00:19:10)

5. Learning from Israel's Winemakers (00:31:25)

6. Challenges of Winemaking in Israel (00:39:10)

7. Closing Thoughts (00:47:37)