After Israel and the United States, and with around half a million members, France has the largest Jewish population on the planet, so it may seem surprising to discover that there is only one kosher vineyard in the whole country. However, given that in the entire world, there are only two other kosher vineyards outside Israel (one in Oregon and the other in California), maybe it is not so surprising after all.
Inspired by a trip to Jerusalem in 1993, Alexandre Sartene, himself a Jew, decided to start the world’s third non-Israeli kosher vineyard. Although it took 14 years to get the project off the ground, the domaine now exports kosher wine to France’s domestic market, across Europe, and as far afield as Brazil. Rather aptly, Sartene decided to name his vineyard – he fondly refers to it as his kibbutz – Parnassah, which in Hebrew means, ‘prosperity’.
Production of the 100% organic kosher wine, which is produced in strict accordance with the 3,000 year old Jewish tradition, as set out in the Torah, is overseen by a Rabbi, who with two assistants, flies to France from Jerusalem. Only he and his assistants are allowed to touch the grapes once they have been harvested, and when they are not present, there is no access to the vats. For anyone.
“Wine and olives are the oldest kosher products, the most mythical of all giftsâ€, says Alexandre Sartene.
Parnassah, which is currently spread over 17 acres, just north of Nîmes, in the village of Arpaillargues, produces an average of 50,000-60,000 bottles of kosher wine a year; its reds, whites, and rosés are sold in Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Rio de Janeiro, and Panama.