From Humble Beginnings to the World’s Top Purveyor of Quality Kosher Wines, Spirits, Iconic Kedem Grape Juice, and Specialty Foods
It all began about 70 years ago when the Herzog family – descendants of distinguished winemaker Baron Philip Herzog – purchased Royal Wine. A modest producer of delicious kosher grape juice and sacramental wine made from upstate New York grapes, Royal had been a household name for Jewish families who grew up enjoying its Concord Grape and Cream Malaga wines at their Sabbath and holiday tables.
Eugene (Yonah) Herzog took over Royal Wine and the Kedem brand was born. It wasn’t long before Kedem – intrinsically associated from then on with Royal Wine Corp. – was transformed into the world’s leading producer, distributor, and importer of award-winning kosher products.
Now in its 70th year of operation, Kedem has become synonymous with the highest standards in wines, spirits, and foods – not just in the kosher community but across the world. And even as the brand’s ever-evolving portfolio continues to break ground in innovative new categories, Kedem grape juice still stands as the industry’s leading grape juice brand and benchmark for quality and tradition.
Gabriel Geller, VP of Public Relations for Royal Wine Corp., attributes today’s proliferation of fine wines that happen to be kosher to the Herzog family’s 200-year winemaking legacy. “The family traveled the world to find and produce the first-ever quality kosher wines from Israel and France. Their longtime vision and commitment to excellence opened kosher consumers’ eyes to world-class bottling from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and beyond.”
Today Royal sources its wines from more than 15 regions and countries. But according to Eugene’s son David Herzog, the company’s Chairman of the Board, “We’re not in the wine business, but in the simcha (joy) business. Kedem prides itself in providing the wines that people share with their families and friends over the most joyous moments of life: holidays, bar/bat mitzvahs, engagements, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc.”
In 1985, the Herzog family launched Baron Herzog Wine Cellars (now called Herzog Wine Cellars) in California and began producing award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc from grapes harvested in the best vineyards of Sonoma and Napa. Their many great wines include the Herzog Special Reserve Alexander Valley and the Special Edition Chalk Hill Warnecke Vineyard. Herzog Wine Cellars settled in a brand new, state-of-the art facility in Oxnard, California in 2005.
But Kedem family of products also goes way beyond juices, wines, and spirits. The company’s specialty food division, Kayco, imports and distributes thousands of gourmet items from hundreds of trusted brands from around the globe – among them Gefen, Glicks, Yehuda, Beetology, Tuscanini Foods, Heaven and Hearth, Absolutely Gluten Free, and dozens more.
These products are widely available in America’s major grocery stores including Costco, Wal-Mart, ShopRite, Key Foods, Stop & Shop, and many others. America’s home consumers and the restaurant industry alike depend on Kayco’s uncompromising quality and creativity for healthy, delicious meals that appeal to everyone.
Says Geller, “There is absolutely no doubt that Kedem will keep innovating and bring the best wines, spirits, and food – which happen to be kosher – to our tables for the next 70 years and beyond.”
About Royal Wine/Kedem
Founded in 1848, Royal Wine Corp. has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose winemaking roots go back eight generations to its origin in Czechoslovakia.
Today, Royal Wine’s portfolio of domestic and international wines range from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy and Spain, as well as Israel, New Zealand and Argentina.
Additionally, Royal Wine Corp.’s spirit and liqueur portfolio offers some of the most sought-after scotches, bourbons, tequilas and vodkas as well as hard to find specialty items such as flavored brandies and liqueurs.
The company owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York, as well as Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, a state-of-the-art-facility featuring guided wine tours, a fully staffed modern tasting room, gift shop and catering facilities. Additionally, the winery houses the award-winning restaurant Tierra Sur, serving the finest, Mediterranean-inspired, contemporary Californian Cuisine.
