In a joint announcement, Carmel Winery, the most historic Israeli winery and Royal Wine Corporation, the leader in the kosher wine industry in the United States, announced the formation of C&R International, their new distributorship servicing the New York Market.

Carmel, founded in 1882 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, is the largest winery producing kosher wines in the world. Royal Wine, owned by the Herzog family, is the largest kosher wine importer and distributor in the world.

David Ziv, CEO of Carmel Winery stated, “This is a continuation of Carmel’s proactive position of building high quality Israeli wines in the United States.” Since becoming the CEO, David Ziv has brought many changes to Carmel including bringing in a new winemaking team and the building of new boutique wineries, all dedicated to establishing Carmel as the premium producer of wines from the Eastern Mediterranean region. Now Carmel is the first Israeli winery to take a management position in a distributor serving the most important U.S. market.

David Herzog, President of Royal Wine Corp, indicated that C&R International will provide a focus on Carmel and other kosher wines of significance. The portfolio of wines will, in addition to Carmel, include brands such as Weinstock, Hagafen, Rashi, Laurent Perrier, and a collection of high end Bordeaux and Burgundies. The spirits include Carmel’s brandies & Sabra liqueurs, also produced by Carmel.

 Shortly, a group of Handcrafted Wines of Israel wines will also join the portfolio. Handcrafted Wines of Israel is a consortium of Israel’s finest boutique wineries founded and marketed by Carmel worldwide, with the objective of advancing Israel as a quality wine producing country. The boutique wineries include: Bazelet ha Golan, Domaine du Castel, Chillag Wine, Hamasrek, Saslove Winery, Tzora Vineyards and Yatir Winery.

David Herzog also announced that C&R Wines will be headed by Mr. Josh Schupak, whose love and experience for Israeli wines will provide the service and knowledge necessary to educate the market about the wonderful wines sold by this new distributorship. Mr. Schupak developed his love for wines as a young adult born to a French family and his interest increased while he lived in Israel for 18 years. In America he has worked for major distributors including Paramount Brands selling fine wines and has also always worked with Israeli wines.

This is not the first time the two giants of the kosher wine world have collaborated. Royal is also the importer of Carmel wines and spirits to U.S.A and Carmel represent Royal’s Californian wine interests – Herzog Cellars, Weinstock & J. Furst – in Israel. The two companies also share ownership of Sabra, Israel’s most famous liqueur.

 September 2004