Great Israeli Wine

This region has produced wine for thousands of years, but the modern wine industry only began in the late 1800s, thanks to Baron Edmond James de Rothschild. He was instrumental in establishing Carmel Winery, one of the oldest and most prominent Israeli wineries still in operation today.

Over the years, the industry has grown significantly, especially during the 1980s. Today, Israel boasts over 300 active wineries, ranging from boutique operations to large-scale producers like Carmel Winery, Barkan, Golan Heights Winery, and Binyamina.

Israeli Wine Regions

Despite its small size, Israel has a surprisingly diverse wine industry, with six main regions:

Golan Heights
Israel’s coldest and highest area is located in the northeast between the Sea of Galilee and Mount Hermon. The region’s mostly volcanic soil is well-suited to grape varieties that thrive in colder climates.

Galilee
Divided into Northern and Southern Galilee, this region is greener and more lush than much of the Middle East. It is a crucial grape-growing area with soils ranging from clay to Terra-Rossa and volcanic.

Judean Hills
This region, surrounding Jerusalem and extending slightly to the south, is highly regarded for its high-elevation vineyards and cooler climate. Some vineyards extend into areas past the border with the Palestinian Authority, sparking political debate.

Samson
The Samson wine region includes the central coastal plain, Shefela, and the Judean Lowlands, which lie just west of the Judean Hills. The Mediterranean climate here favors Mediterranean grape varieties.

Shomron
Shomron is one of Israel’s most significant modern wine regions, located just south of Haifa and extending slightly further south. It was the first area planted with the assistance of Baron Rothschild.

Negev
A desert region in the southern part of the country, the Negev is a testament to Israel’s leadership in agricultural technology. The developer of drip irrigation planted vineyards in the Negev desert, making it one of the fastest-growing wine regions.

Kosher or No Sir?

While Israeli wines were once primarily known for being Kosher, this focus has shifted. Wineries still produce Kosher wines, but many smaller producers also offer non-Kosher options. There is also a growing emphasis on crafting luxury wines for the global market.

The Future of Israeli Wines

Although Israel is considered a “New World” wine country, it has ancient roots and produces a wide variety of grapes. Most grape varieties were imported in the late 1800s, including “International” types like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Recently, Israeli winemakers have been expanding their expertise in fine wine production, with many wineries shifting towards Mediterranean grape varieties. While twenty years ago, most wines were based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, it is now common to find Grenache, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Petite Sirah (Durif), Marselan, and Mourvèdre.

As time progresses, the quality of Israeli wine continues to improve, earning excellent scores in international markets.