Manischewitz Concord Grape – America's Iconic Sweet Kosher Wine Since 1947

Updated October 2025

Discover Manischewitz Concord Grape, the #1 kosher wine in America producing 900,000 cases annually. This sweet Concord wine bridges religious ceremony and cultural memory at just $5-8 per bottle.

The kosher and sweet wine market landscape today

The global sweet wine market reached $34.24 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow to $60.05 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. Within this expanding market, kosher wines occupy a unique position—the kosher food market ranges between $22-44 billion globally with consistent growth projections of 3-10% annually through 2035. What's remarkable is that 75-80% of kosher wine buyers are non-Jewish, viewing kosher certification as a quality and purity marker beyond religious requirements.

The kosher wine industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades. In 2024, over 200 kosher wines scored 91 points or higher on wine blogs, the highest number ever recorded. This premiumization trend has created a bifurcated market: traditional sweet wines like Manischewitz Concord Grape in the $5-15 range, and premium dry wines from Israel, California, and Europe in the $25-500+ range.

From matzo to mainstream: Manischewitz brand heritage

The Manischewitz story begins not with wine, but with matzo. Rabbi Dov Behr Manischewitz, born in Lithuania in 1858, emigrated to America in 1888. Settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, he initially sold kosher meat before recognizing that local Jews struggled to find matzo during Passover. His revolutionary innovation—designing the first automated machine-made matzo production system and inventing the world's first square matzo—made kosher food affordable and accessible to American Jewish immigrants.

The wine business emerged separately. In 1927, Leo Star founded what became the Manischewitz winery in Canandaigua, New York. Two decades later in 1947, Meyer Robinson of Brooklyn's Monarch Wine Company approached the Manischewitz family with a proposal: license the trusted Manischewitz name for kosher wine. The 99-year licensing agreement proved genius—Monarch was unknown, but Manischewitz had been a household name in Jewish homes since the 1890s.

How Manischewitz Concord Grape is made in upstate New York

Production of Manischewitz Concord Grape follows a unique annual ritual known as "Kosher Crush." All Manischewitz wine for the entire year is produced during one single week at the winery in Canandaigua, New York, located in the Finger Lakes region. This compressed timeframe stems from kosher requirements—all winery equipment must be made kosher before production begins, and no other brands can use the equipment until Manischewitz has crushed every last Concord grape.

The wine contains a minimum of 51% Concord grapes (Vitis labrusca), an American grape variety distinct from European vinifera grapes used in most wines. Fermentation occurs at 60 degrees Fahrenheit in stainless steel tanks, a deliberately low temperature that preserves the refreshing character and fresh Concord grape essence. After fermentation, the wine undergoes the mevushal process—flash pasteurization that allows the wine to maintain its kosher status even if handled by non-Sabbath-observant individuals or non-Jews.

Sweet, fruity, and unmistakable: the Concord grape experience

Manischewitz Concord Grape delivers an immediately recognizable taste profile that divides opinion but creates lasting memories. The primary flavor is sweet and fruity, bursting with the essence of fresh Concord grapes—often compared to "Welch's Grape Juice meets Port" with syrupy sweetness. This isn't a wine for dry wine enthusiasts seeking tannin structure or terroir expression. Instead, it offers unapologetic sweetness balanced by crisp acidity that prevents the wine from becoming cloying.

At 11% alcohol by volume, Manischewitz sits lower than many table wines but higher than some lighter options. The mouthfeel is generous and light-bodied with a smooth aftertaste. The wine's sweetness stems from added sugar after fermentation rather than residual grape sugars, creating a confectionery quality that pairs surprisingly well with salty, dry Passover foods like matzo and gefilte fish.

OU certification and what makes it kosher

Manischewitz Concord Grape carries certification from the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU), the largest and most recognized kosher certification agency in the world. This OU symbol on every bottle signifies that the entire winemaking process meets strict rabbinical standards from grape crushing to final bottling.

For wine to be kosher, it must be handled exclusively by Sabbath-observant Jews throughout the production process. All ingredients must come from approved kosher sources without any animal by-products or non-kosher components. The mevushal designation adds another layer—mevushal wines have been heated or flash pasteurized, which allows the wine to remain kosher even if subsequently handled by non-Jews. This makes practical sense for modern celebrations and restaurant service.

Why this wine transcends religious boundaries

By the mid-1950s, an astonishing statistic emerged: 80% of Manischewitz consumers were not Jewish. Urban African-American communities embraced the wine, calling it "praise wine" in Southern Black church communities where it was used for Easter celebrations and religious services. This crossover success wasn't accidental—strategic marketing featuring celebrities like Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Eckstine, and The Ink Spots in Ebony magazine positioned the wine as both quality and culturally relevant.

Within Jewish-American culture, Manischewitz Concord Grape became what scholars call an "imagined ritual"—a fixture at holiday tables for nostalgic and cultural resonance beyond strict religious necessity. For many, it embodies the taste of Jewish heritage and memories of family celebrations, bridging immigrant roots with American identity.

Manischewitz vs. Kedem, Bartenura, and Herzog wines

The kosher wine market has bifurcated dramatically, with Manischewitz Concord Grape anchoring the traditional sweet segment at $5-8 per bottle. Kedem Wines, produced by Royal Wine Corporation in Marlboro, New York, offers direct competitors like Cream Concord and Cream White at similar $6-12 price points. Kedem produces over 1 million cases annually, making it Manischewitz's primary traditional competitor.

The competitive landscape shifts dramatically in the mid-premium segment. Bartenura Moscato, imported from Italy, achieved remarkable mainstream success despite kosher certification. Its recognizable blue bottle became the #1 selling imported Italian Moscato in the entire US market. Herzog Wine Cellars in California produces approximately 250,000 cases annually spanning budget to premium. In the ultra-premium segment ($35-100+), brands like Covenant Wines from Napa Valley position as "great wine that happens to be kosher," targeting wine enthusiasts rather than religious consumers.

Passover Seders, Kiddush, and ceremonial usage

Manischewitz Concord Grape plays a central role in Jewish religious observance, particularly during Passover Seder. Each participant drinks four cups of wine during the ceremony, one at each major ritual: at the conclusion of Kiddush, after telling the Exodus story before eating matzah, at the conclusion of Grace After Meals, and after reciting Hallel. Each cup should contain at least 3.5 fluid ounces.

Beyond Passover, the wine is essential for Kiddush, the blessing recited over wine on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Life cycle events depend on kosher wine as well. Weddings feature seven blessings recited over wine, creating sanctity for the marriage covenant. Bar and bat mitzvahs, circumcisions, and redemption of first-born ceremonies all incorporate wine blessings.

Traditional and modern pairing recommendations

The intense sweetness of Manischewitz Concord Grape creates natural pairings with traditional Passover Seder foods where contrast rather than complement drives harmony. Matzo and gefilte fish—dry, salty, and relatively bland—benefit from the wine's sweetness providing counterpoint. The syrupy fruit flavors cut through the saltiness while the wine's acidity prevents the pairing from becoming cloying.

Brisket represents a classic pairing with deep roots in Jewish-American cuisine. The wine actually functions in cooking, where 1-2 cups of Manischewitz combined with beef broth creates a braising liquid that tenderizes the meat while imparting rich, dark, slightly sweet gravy. Modern pairing approaches embrace the wine's dessert-like qualities with fruity desserts and berry-based desserts aligning naturally with the Concord grape flavor profile.

Optimal serving temperature and storage tips

Manischewitz Concord Grape performs best when served chilled at approximately 55°F (13°C). Remove the bottle from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving to reach this ideal temperature. Serving chilled helps temper the intense sweetness and makes the wine more refreshing, particularly important when consuming multiple cups during Passover Seder.

For storage, keep unopened bottles in a cool, dark place at 50-60°F (10-15°C) if possible, though room temperature storage works for shorter periods since this isn't a wine intended for long-term cellaring. The convenient twist-off cap eliminates the need for a wine opener. Once opened, refrigerate the bottle and consume within 7-10 days for optimal freshness.

Available sizes: 750ml to 3-liter options

Manischewitz Concord Grape comes in multiple formats to accommodate different celebration sizes. The standard 750ml bottle provides approximately five glasses at standard pour sizes, suitable for small family gatherings. The 1.5-liter magnum offers the best value for larger celebrations, providing approximately ten glasses—ideal for Passover Seders hosting 6-8 people. For very large gatherings, the 3-liter bottle provides maximum value and convenience.

Budget-friendly leadership in the $5-8 range

At $5-8 per 750ml bottle, Manischewitz Concord Grape anchors the budget segment of both kosher and sweet wine markets. This price leadership makes the wine accessible to families observing religious requirements without financial burden. The affordability helped establish Manischewitz's dominance during the immigrant era when Jewish families had limited means but needed to maintain religious observance.

From Apollo 17 to Mad Men: cultural impact

The catchphrase "Man-O-Manischewitz What a Wine!" became embedded in American popular culture. This reach peaked when astronaut Gene Cernan shouted "Man O Manischewitz!" from the moon during the Apollo 17 mission in 1973. Mad Men Season 5 featured the wine as a fictional client account, with episodes exploring the wine company seeking to expand beyond Jewish markets to "normal people" (gentiles), reflecting actual historical marketing strategies.

Ready to experience this iconic piece of American wine history? Visit Union Wine & Liquors in Cheektowaga, NY to purchase Manischewitz Concord Grape for your next celebration, whether it's a Passover Seder, Shabbat dinner, or simply exploring a sweet wine with remarkable cultural significance.