When Passover arrives, many people begin checking labels not just for matzah and holiday treats, but for something equally important at the seder table—wine. But not all wines are automatically kosher for Passover. In fact, to meet the holiday’s strict dietary laws, wine must be carefully produced under rabbinic supervision to ensure it’s free from chametz (leavened grains or derivatives). Whether you’re hosting a traditional seder or simply want to raise a glass in celebration, understanding what makes a wine kosher for Passover helps ensure you’re honoring both tradition and taste.
What makes a wine Kosher for Passover?
For a wine to be kosher for Passover, it has to meet the general requirements for kosher wine plus a few extra rules specific to Passover:
1. No Chametz (Leavened Grain)
The biggest Passover-specific rule is that the wine must be completely free from chametz—this includes not just wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt, but also any byproducts that could sneak in during processing, like yeast derived from grains.
2. No Kitniyot (for some communities)
Ashkenazi traditions often avoid kitniyot (like corn, rice, legumes), so Passover wine can’t include additives or sweeteners derived from those sources if it’s meant to be broadly accepted.
3. Supervised Production
All wine labeled kosher for Passover must be produced under strict rabbinical supervision, from the time the grapes are crushed until the wine is bottled. Only Sabbath-observant Jews can be involved in the production process.
4. Kosher Ingredients Only
Everything that touches the wine—yeast, fining agents, flavor additives, etc.—must be certified kosher and kosher for Passover. Even equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and sometimes kashered (ritually purified).
5. Kosher for Passover Certification
Look for a kosher certification symbol that specifically says “Kosher for Passover.” A regular kosher wine might not qualify if it was processed with non-Passover-friendly ingredients.
So, that bottle of Merlot on your shelf? Unless it’s labeled for Passover, it might not make the cut—even if it’s technically kosher the rest of the year.
Kosher for Passover Wine
Lion and Dove wines are all Kosher for Passover and Mevushall. Made from grapes cultivated and grown in renowned growing areas around the world. The varying regional characteristics produce unique and expressive wines that are both consistent and approachable. Lion and Dove has a wine for everyone at your table, Prosecco, bold reds, crisp whites and Moscato for the sweet lovers. For detailed descriptions of each of the Lion and Dove wines follow this link: click here. These wines are the perfect addition to your Passover celebrations, pick up a bottle at your local wine store today!
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