ISRAEL'S WINE REGIONS
GALILEE
The Galilee wine region is made up of the Upper Galilee, Lower Galilee and Golan Heights. The Upper Galilee and Golan are considered to be Israel's finest wine growing areas because of their cooler climate and higher altitude. The Upper Galilee is a mountainous area of plunging peaks and stony ridges, and the soils are heavy, gravelly but well drained. The Golan is a volcanic plateau with basalt and tuff soil. Both have snow in winter.
This is Israel's largest wine growing region, benefiting from The Carmel Mountain range and breezes off the Mediterranean Sea. The main concentration of vineyards is in the valleys surrounding the winery towns of Zichron Ya'acov & Binyamina. Soils are heavy, limey and the climate is typically Mediterranean.
SAMSON
The central coastal plain - known as Dan - and the rolling hills of the Judean Lowlands, make up this region which is traditionally the second largest in Israel. The soils are limestone, alluvial clay and loam. The area has a coastal Mediterranean climate: hot, humid summers and warm, mild winters.
JUDEAN HILLS
The Judean Hills is an underdeveloped but quality wine region. The areas west of Jerusalem and at Yatir Forest, in the central and southern Judean Hills respectively, have proved to be wine growing regions of the very highest quality. Warm days and cool nighttime temperature characterize the area's climate. The soils are thin, limey and stony. The higher mountains receive snow each winter.
NEGEV
New vineyards have been planted in the higher regions of the central Negev, which is desert and in particular at Ramat Arad in the semi arid northeast Negev. Soils are sandy to loamy and the temperatures range from very hot during the day, to cooler evenings and cold nights. The vineyards are often shrouded in mists during the morning hours.
History
Viticulture was the primary form of agriculture chosen by the pioneers returning to Israel in the 1880's. Therefore wine, which was so important to the economy of ancient Israel in biblical times, returned to being one of the central industries of modern Israel. The initial influences were French. Carmel Winery, Israel's largest and most historic winery, was founded by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, a co-owner of Chateau Lafite. The quality revolution began in the 1980's with the employment of internationally trained winemakers, the introduction of new state of the art equipment, and the planting of noble varieties in cooler climate areas. The main changes in viticultural and winemaking practices came primarily from California, but also later from Australia.
Today
The 1990's saw the formation of many boutique wineries. Here, dedicated individuals are producing characterful wines from single vineyards and for the first time fulfilling the immense potential of Israel's unique terroir.
Today Israel is on the map of the world's quality wine producing countries, receiving awards and recognition at the highest level. Small, and slightly exotic, Israel is an Eastern Mediterranean
country with a winemaking past as long as the history of wine itself. The quality of its wines and variety of microclimates ensure that the new style of wines from Israel, will be of great interest to wine lovers and connoisseurs alike.
"Handcrafted Wines of Israel" is an elite group of wineries representing Israel's finest boutique wines from select vineyards. Each wine is a unique expression of the terror of a particular Region and the wineries represent the very best of Israel's winemaking toda
y.
Summary of Israel’s Wine Industry
Location Eastern Mediterranean; Near East; the Levant
Climate Long, hot, dry summer. Short, wet winter.
Aspect of vineyards High altitude, cool climate areas - Upper Galilee, Golan Heights and
Judean Hills. Coastal plain. Rolling hills of Judean Lowlands. Semi
arid desert.
Soils Soils vary from volcanic to sandy red soils of the coastal areas and
Chalk / limestone on the hills.
Wineries 30 commercial wineries
(a total of 150, including boutique wineries).
Largest wineries (in order of size):
Carmel (50% of market), Barkan, Golan Heights, Efrat, Binyamina.
Grape Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc,
Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, White Riesling, Emerald
Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat Canelli.
Hectares 4,000 (10,000 acres)
Vintage Approx. 52,000 tonnes of grapes
Harvest August to October; both mechanical & manual
Export Over 40 countries including North America, Canada, Western
Europe and the Far East.
