St. Julian Winery has partnered with Rabbi Jason Miller and Kosher Michigan to resume production of Sholom Concord wine. This collaboration brings back a beloved wine with deep roots in Michigan’s winemaking history.
First introduced in the mid-1940s, Sholom quickly became a popular offering from St. Julian. The winery crafts this deliciously sweet wine using 100 percent Michigan-grown Concord grapes. In 2020, St. Julian paused production following the loss of its longtime friend and supervising rabbi. Since then, many consumers have expressed interest in seeing the wine return.
To qualify as kosher, wine must meet strict requirements. A rabbi must supervise production, all ingredients must meet kosher standards, and the winery must use rabbinically certified equipment. Through kosher certification, St. Julian ensures that Sholom remains accessible to a wide range of communities. The certification also preserves the wine’s fresh grape aromas and classic flavor profile.
“Kosher certification is something we take very seriously,” says Apollo Braganini II, President of St. Julian Winery. “We want to respect different communities and provide a legitimate option for those seeking kosher wine.”
Earlier this summer, Rabbi Jason Miller visited St. Julian Winery. During his visit, he met with the winemaking team and toured the facility. Following these discussions, Rabbi Miller agreed to partner with St. Julian to oversee Sholom’s return to production.
Left to Right: St. Julian President Apollo Braganini II, St. Julian Winemaker Nancie Oxley, Rabbi Jason Miller
“Over the past few years, many people reached out to me about Sholom wine,” says Rabbi Miller. “They shared how much they loved the product and how disappointed they were when it was no longer available.” He adds, “I contacted the team at St. Julian and learned they had heard the same feedback from loyal fans. From there, we began discussing the possibility of certifying the wine as kosher.”
“After visiting the winery and continuing our conversations, the idea became a reality,” Rabbi Miller continues. “Kosher Michigan follows the same kosher supervision process used by the rabbis who certified Sholom for decades. Because of that, consumers can trust that we meet the highest kosher standards.”
While Sholom marks the first wine certified by Kosher Michigan in its 15-year history, Rabbi Miller says the choice felt natural. “Sholom carries a rich history, a dedicated following, and a strong Michigan connection,” he explains. “It felt like the right place to begin.”
Rabbi Miller founded Kosher Michigan as a kosher certification agency. Today, the organization certifies thousands of products across North America and India. A Metro Detroit native, Rabbi Miller has served on several local and national boards. He is also an alum of the Rabbis Without Borders fellowship through the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.
Consumers can now find Sholom Concord wine through St. Julian’s online store, at its tasting rooms, and at select retail partners.
