Winemaking in Israel dates back to the Middle Ages, but for many consumers, Israeli wines are still a new discovery. The region offers styles comparable to well-known French appellations like Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley.
“While Israel is geographically in the Middle East, its climate is more Mediterranean, like the Rhône Valley,” said Erik Segelbaum, a sommelier who conducts master classes on Israeli wines. “In the cooler elevations of [the wine regions of] Upper Galilee and Golan Heights, one can even find Alsatian-style Rieslings and Gewurztraminers.”
Autumn in the Golan Heights region. (Courtesy of Wines of Israel)Israel’s connection to France goes further than the climate. In the 1800s, Baron Edmond de Rothschild, owner of Bordeaux’s Château Lafite-Rothschild, made a significant investment in Israel. He built a large winery and cellar, and he also sent a team of French viticulturists to oversee the planting of Bordeaux grape varieties like Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon (now the most widely planted grape in Israel). This marked a milestone in Israel’s wine history.
Today, more than 120 grapes are cultivated throughout Israel. In addition to classic Bordeaux varieties, that includes Rhône grapes such as Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Roussanne. Winemakers are also rediscovering ancient native varieties such as the white grape Marawi, and the red Bittuni.
Young Marawi grapes. (Aleksandra Trochimiuk)Key Wine Regions
Roughly the size of New Jersey, Israel has more than 300 wineries. As the wine industry continues to evolve, five registered regions established in the 1970s—Galilee, Shomron, Samson, Judean Hills, and Negev—are undergoing restructuring to better reflect the geography and terroir of Israel’s modern industry. Key regions include:
Galilee: Divided into the upper and lower Galilee, this lush region is forested and mountainous, with cooler climates.
Golan Heights: Israel’s northernmost region is a volcanic plateau northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The snow-capped peaks reach nearly 4,000 feet above sea level.
Central Mountains: This string of mountains and valleys stretches north from Haifa through the center of Israel to Yatir, a forested area in the southern tip of the country.
Coastal Plain: Long hot summers, mild winters, and cool sea breezes prevail in this seaside region with Tel Aviv as its capital.
Judean Foothills: Located south and west of Jerusalem and east of Tel Aviv, the Judean Hills is Israel’s largest wine growing area and popular with tourists thanks to its proximity to two major cities.
Negev Highlands: Israel’s southernmost wine region has arid desert conditions with sandy soils, hot days and very cold nights. The dryness keeps disease and vine rot to a minimum; however, feral camels enjoy munching on grapevines, a problem for growers.
Vineyards in the Shomron Hills region. (Aleksandra Trochimiuk)Kosher Wine Myths
A common misperception is that Israeli wines are all kosher. Most are, but not all.
Another misconception is that all kosher wines are mevushal, Hebrew for “cooked or boiled.” This process eliminates impurities to meet the highest kosher standards but conjures the impression that the wine is also “cooked” and thus of inferior quality. However, mevushal wines today are flash-pasteurized, which has minimal effect on the quality, according to Haim Hassin, owner of SolStars, an importer of Israeli wines.
Most kosher wines are not mevushal and follow the same process as making non-kosher wines, from harvesting and vinification to bottle aging. The main difference is that kosher wine production must be handled by Sabbath-observant Jews and follow specific guidelines for cultivating grapes and fining the wine to eliminate sediments, without the use of animal-based products. Because kosher winemaking does not use animal products, kosher wines are also vegan by default.
Kosher wines can be made anywhere in the world. Champagne houses Laurent-Perrier and Drappier and Bordeaux’s Château Lynch-Bages and Barons de Rothschild are a few examples of French producers making excellent kosher wines.
Wines to Try
Golan Heights Winery, Golan Heights: Founded in 1983, Golan Heights Winery is a model for Israel’s modern winemaking culture thanks to head winemaker Victor Schoenfeld, who is considered a pioneer in developing viticulture advancements from irrigation management to wind-generated electricity. Try Golan Heights Yarden Blanc de Blancs 2011, a light, lemony mêthode champenoise sparkling wine. $33.
Jacques Capsouto Vignobles, Upper Galilee: Capsouto Fréres was a romantic French restaurant in New York City sadly destroyed during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Owner Jacques Capsouto resettled in Israel to make Rhône-style wines. Try Côtes de Galilée Villages Cuvée Eva Blanc 2016, a blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, and Marsanne. $25.
Covenant Israel Winery, Upper Galilee: Vintner Jeff Morgan, recognized for his Covenant wines in Napa Valley, makes a sought-after label by the same name in Israel. Try Covenant Israel Syrah 2018, 90 percent Syrah, 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. $75.
Tura Winery, Shomron Hills: This family estate run by Vered and Erez Ben Sa’adon is part of Israel’s contemporary garagiste movement, known for making artisanal, small-production wines. Try Tura Mountain Peak 2016, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. $75.
Recanati Winery, Upper Galilee: In addition to its excellent Bordeaux and Rhône-style wines, Recanati has worked to resurrect ancient grapes such as Marawi. Try Recanati Marawi 2017, a full-bodied white made from 100 percent Marawi. This wine is a rare partnership between an Israeli producer and a Palestinian vineyard. In respect to the wine’s unique heritage, the label is written in both Hebrew and Arabic. $35.
Kishor Winery, Galilee: Kishor is in Kibbutz Kishorit, a home for adults with special needs. Community members are actively involved in the winery, from staffing the welcome center to making the kibbutz’s artisanal breads, cakes, and cheese. Try Kishor Misgav Riesling 2017, a semi-dry crisp white with hints of apple and citrus. $28.
Melanie Young writes about wine, food, travel, and health. She co-hosts the weekly national radio show “The Connected Table LIVE!” and hosts “Fearless Fabulous You!” both on iHeart.com. Twitter@connectedtable
