# #187: Wine in the Modern Era: feat. Nathan Herzog (President of Kedem Wines) & Rabbi Akiva Padwa (International Kashrus expert)

From **History For The Curious** by R Aubrey Hersh;Mena Reisner.

- **Published:** Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:26:58 +0000
- **Duration:** 1:07:05
- **Audio:** https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/jj47j5gfbaxsb23g/HC080_-_Ep_187_-_Wine_Part_2_Fully_Assembled_mixdown9nv4z.mp3
- **Page:** https://rabbiaubreyhersh.podbean.com/e/187-wine-in-the-modern-era-feat-nathan-herzog-president-of-kedem-wines-rabbi-akiva-padwa-international-kashrus-expert/
- **TorahApp:** https://torahapp.org/share/p/3P_history-curious?e=rabbiaubreyhersh.podbean.com%2F232b7a20-0c15-30b0-a870-66ab4316e5ca

<p>In the 19th century, the Herzog family supplied wine to the Emperor, while the 20th ushered in the era and risks of Prohibition in America and the profound transformation of the humble grape juice.</p>
<p>Contemporary technology has enabled the wine industry to flourish, yet the intricate halachos makes kosher wine production, a uniquely complex product</p>

 
Meanwhile in the mid-1500s, Moravia was fertile ground for both the Maharal's views and the Rama's rulings of yayin stam, which resonate to this day.   
 

<p>Timestamps:</p>
<p>00:00 — Opening anecdote  </p>
<p>00:00:36 — Intro &amp; episode overview  </p>
<p>00:01:12 — Listener feedback (medieval England)  </p>
<p>00:02:02 — History: Bohemia &amp; Moravia (1500s)  </p>
<p>00:04:54 — Maharal: philosophy of wine  </p>
<p>00:08:43 — Nicholsburg controversy (1600s)  </p>
<p>00:15:00 — Prohibition &amp; bootlegging (Bronfmans)  </p>
<p>00:16:25 — Sacramental wine loophole &amp; abuses  </p>
<p>00:25:00 — 1926 regulations &amp; grape juice debate  </p>
<p>00:29:30 — Interview: Nathan (Yogi) Herzog  </p>
<p>00:35:00 — Herzog: kosher production practices  </p>
<p>00:40:00 — Kedem grape juice &amp; market evolution  </p>
<p>00:50:00 — Harvest logistics &amp; mashgichim  </p>
<p>00:51:54 — Production issues &amp; quality control  </p>
<p>00:52:02 — Interview: Rabbi Padva (kashrus expert)  </p>
<p>00:53:15 — Halacha: non-Jew involvement, mevushal, transport  </p>
<p>01:04:24 — Practical challenges (pumping/maceration)  </p>
<p>01:06:06 — Closing &amp; sign-off</p>