Touring Israeli Wine Country
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Wine has been made in Israel since pre-Biblical times, but, if the truth be known, until recently, there was no reason to be proud of those wines. Even in 1870, when wine production started again, thanks to the aid of Baron Edmond de Rothschild, not all went smoothly, and most of the wine that was produced was red, sweet, unsophisticated and unappealing. Sophisticated wine lovers know that the local wineries have risen out of the morass of cheap, cloyingly sweet wines that burn the throat and bring tears to the cheeks, to ones that produce excellent wines perfect for complimenting unique Israeli cuisine. Sometimes fruity and on other occasions crisply dry, and often with excellent balance, body and bouquet, Israeli wines are now perceived as an integral and important part of dining out. Israel, like other Mediterranean Nations, has topsoil that is rich in the minerals nedded to grow some of the best wine grapes in the world. Similarly, it is home to some of the most beautiful vinyards in the world, similar to those found in the South of France and Tuscany. Below, find some of the best known wineries in Israel. |
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Chateau Golan Chateau Golan was established during the summer of 1999. The winery and its vineyards are located in the farming community of Eliad overlooking the intersection of the Yarmuch and Rokad rivers, Winemaking at Chateau Golan combines traditional European methods and modern technologies, striving to create a wine that is both distinct and characteristic of the region. In order to ensure the highest quality, Chateau Golan owns all the vineyards that supply it with its grapes. The winery owns some 27 hectares of vineyards planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah as well as small amounts of Petite Syrah, Petit Verdot, Grenach and PinotNoir. The vineyards are professionally managed with the utmost care enhanced with the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture. |
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Dalton Winery Dalton Winery and its vineyards are located in an exclusive area of the Upper Galilee (Merom Hagalil). The vineyards of Kerem Ben Zimra reach an altitude of between 800 - 900 metres above sea level. This volcanic plateau combining high altitude, optimum soil conditions and a unique climate provide the ideal conditions for growing grapes in Israel. The Dalton Winery is the only winery situated in this region. Established in 1995, Dalton is a small boutique style winery, using state-of-the-art equipment to make premium varietal and blended wines from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Dalton's wines are divided into three series: Reserve, Dalton and Canaan, which are harvested from some of the best vineyards in Israel. |
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Domaine du Castel Domaine du Castel is a small winery in the Judean Hills (Haute-Judee) 10 miles west of Jerusalem. We made our first wine in 1992 (50 cases). Castel is a family business run by myself, my son Ariel, who was for two years in Bourgogne where he worked for Michel Picard at Domaine Emile Voarick and studied winemaking in Beaune, and my son-in-law Arnon Geva. I am self-taught. Not all our vineyards are yet in production and most are still quite young. We still have to buy grapes to supplement our needs but by the year 2000 we expect to be self-sufficient. It is my belief that by the year 2003 we shall release even better wines than the ones we have made so far. In the future we shall have a first and second label red wine and a Chardonnay sur lie barrel fermented in 100% new French Oak. |
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Ella Valley Vinyards Ella Valley winery lies near Kibbutz Nativ HaLamed-Heh, in the heart of the biblical Ella Valley, nestled among the estate's sprawling vineyards. The strategic location makes it possible to transport grapes directly from vineyard to winery upon vintage, and thus begin the fermentation process without delay. Prominent scholars of world renown took part in the planning and establishment of Ella Valley winery. Modern technology was incorporated without sacrificing traditional methods. Future and past combine to produce a rich and high-quality wine. Ella Valley is open to visitors seeking a glimpse into the winemaking process and a sampling of the final product. The in-house store offers the entire range of Ella Valley wines. |
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Galil Mountain Winery The Galil Mountain Winery is a joint venture of the Golan Heights Winery and Kibbutz Yiron combining the unique features of the Upper Galilee with the expertise of the winemakers of the Golan Heights. The mountains of the Upper Galilee are some of the highest in Israel sometimes rising as high as 1,000 meters and even more. The topographical structure, quality of the soil and climate, make the mountains of the Galilee an ideal location for growing vineyards with grapes of the highest quality. The Galil Mountain Winery operates as an independent winery, with its own management and production infrastructure. Its goal is to be able to process 1,000 tons of grapes, producing approximately million bottles of wine annually by 2006. |
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Ramat HaGolan This excellent winery, largely responsible for the wine revolution within Israel, releases wines in three series, "Yarden,'' " Gamla,'' and "Golan,'' with the wines in the Yarden series considered the most prestigious. Regardless of the series, this winery produces some excellent reds and whites. The most serious and more full bodied of the reds are the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Merlot. The reds known as Har Hermon Adom and Golan Village are fruitier and meant to be consumed younger. The most notable whites from here are the Chardonnay and the Sauvignon Blanc, both of which are crisply dry and make for excellent drinking, and the Emerald Riesling which is semi-dry. Also worthy of note are two sparkling wines, "Blanc de Blanc'' and ``Brut'', both of which are made in accordance with the traditional method of making Champagne, and two dessert wines, "Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc'' and "Muscat," neither of which need make any apology for smooth, rich sweetness. |
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Tishbi Estate Winery The Tishbi family's romance with grapes and wine began in 1882 when the present generation's great-grandparents were commissioned by Baron Edmond de Rothschild to plant the first modern wine grape vineyards in Israel. After more than a Century of grape growing tradition, Jonathan Tishbi founded the Tishbi Estate in1984, which produces four series of wines, each offering consistent quality and flavor ,as well as value and style within its class. Set near Zichron Yaacov, at the foot of the Carmel mountain ridge near the coast, the Tishbi Estate is surrounded by its home vineyards which enjoy the cooling breezes of the Mediterranean Sea. The Tishbi family also plants, grows and harvests premium grapes at higher elevations to the North, to take full advantage of the cool mountain night air and the long sunny Mediterranean growing season ,and in the Negev Desert to the South, where hot arid days and cool windy nights combine with sandy soils to yield superior grapes. To this day, proprietor Jonathan Tishbi, together with his family, personally supervises the growing, harvesting and bottling processes, tasting and evaluating each vineyard lot separately before creating final blends and award winning wines, sparkling wines and brandy. |
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Kela David Winery KELA DAVID" - David's sling' is one man's dream coming true. Dr. Amos Barzilai, district Vet. And a farmer. has built s farmhouse on his land, among vineyards and olive groves, in the historical valley w here David had confronted Goliath. The farm house houses a wine cellar and an olive mill annexed to a restaurant, where one can sit "Under his vine and under fig tree" and enjoy the specialties of this rural Inn with their special Taboon bakery, and other wholesome delicacies cooked and served by his partner and friend, Smadar Kaplinski. You are all welcome to taste the wine, to taste the home-made pickled olives and likewise Amos Barzilai's pure olive oil from the land of David, not to mention Smadar's freshly baked bread and other enchanting rural dishes and hospitality. |
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Yatir Winery Yatir Forest, which is situated in the southern Judean Hills, has a history rich in wine production. A touris in the area will be impressed by the ancient wine presses, which bear witness to the existence of advanced wine production over 2500 years ago. A center of Jewish settlement existed in the area during the period of time between the destruction of the Second Temple and the First Muslim period. The economic mainstay of the inhabitants was the production of wine and olive oil. Today, Yatir Forest is the biggest planted forest in Israel. Yatir Winery is a smalla nd high quality winery which was founded in 2000 as a joint venture between the grape-growers of the area and Carmel Winery. It was build at the foot of the famous Tel Arad archaeological site. The winery is situated in the north-eastern Negev, fulfilling the dream of David Ben Gurion to "make the desert bloom." The viticulturists and winemakers of the winery are committed to the highest quality, and aim to emphasize the uniqueness of their vineyards through the character and quality of their wines. |
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Recanti The story of the RECANATI WINERY, a new producer of high quality Mediterranean wines, begins with a profound bond with the Land of Israel coupled with a passion for fine wines. With the creation of the winery, L. Recanati's cherished, life-long dream to produce truly world-class wines has finally reached fruition. Owner of one of the finest private wine collections in Israel, L. Recanati is a successful international banker and a member of one of Israel's most prominent families. Prior to making their home in Israel in the early 1900s, Recanati's ancestors had lived for centuries in Italy, one of the world's premier sources of fine wines. Consequently, Italy and the U.S. (where Recanati spent a portion of his student years and met his American-born wife) represent the winery's first two export markets. Chief winemaker at Recanati is Lewis Pasco, an American-born graduate of the U.C. Davis wine program and an accomplished chef. Formerly a winemaker at Napa Valley's Chimney Rock and for Sonoma's Marimar Torres, Lewis brings to Recanati a devotion to artistry and craftsmanship in winemaking. This dedication, combined with Recanati's state-of-the-art winemaking facility, has led to an impressive line of wines. |
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Ramat Arad Ramad Arad, one of the wineries in the Carmel Winery is located in the Negev, a very arid region which would make it seem an unlikely place to grow anything, let alone grapes which produce very fine wines. These desert wines are the result of more than a century of Israeli know-how in arid-region farming and winemaking. Although the Negev desert comprises large areas of totally barren terrain, the sandy soil is actually highly fertile. Over the decades, farmers have discovered that premium quality fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and melons can be grown as long as adequate water is provided. Israel's National Water Carrier (which brings water from the north of the country) and advanced, computer-regulated drip irrigation systems have solved the problem. |
