Israel Wine Regions Designed and
maintained by FLB Webdesigns
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Israel
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Israel Wine Regions Designed and
maintained by FLB Webdesigns
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Israel Wine History Vine growing and wine production in the land of Israel have a long recorded history. Remnants of ancient wine cisterns and utensils can be found scattered throughout the country. The modern wine industry was re-established over one hundred years ago. In 1882, Baron Edmund de Rothschild introduced French vine strains to the settlers in Israel, as well as glass factory plants for the manufacture of wine. He established wine cellars in Rishon Le Zion and Zichron Ya'akov which are fully operative today. Some wineries also bottle natural olive oil of high quality. The drinking of wine on the Sabbath, on Jewish holidays and at special ceremonies, is part of traditional Jewish ritual. For years, kosher Israeli wine was synonymous with sweet wine. Though per capita consumption of wines and alcoholic drinks has not grown significantly in recent years, there has been a dramatic change in the quality of Israeli wines, due mainly to the planting and growing of quality strains of vine grapes and new vinyard areas. This is coupled with the growing exposure of Israelis to the European and American culture of wine drinking. The Israeli wine industry currently offers a variety of quality dry and
semi-dry red and white wines. In the past 10 years, Israeli table wines have won
several gold medals at international wine exhibitions, including an award from
the VinExpo 1993. Some wineries have also received a number of awards for the
wine they produce.
UP SHOMRON / SAMARIA
The Shomron region surrounds Zichron Yaacov
and Binyamina. This is the largest grape growing area in Israel, benefitting
from the height of the Carmel mountain range, south of Haifaand the close
proximity to the sea. the wineries of Carmel (Zichron Yaacov), Eliaz and Baron
lie in the Shomron area. UP NEGEV Region
The semi-arid to desert region in the south of the
country is called the Negev. Drip-feed irrigation has made it possible to grow
grapes in this region.
UP SHIMSHON / SAMSON Region
The Judean plain and lowlands east of
Rehovot, Rishon Lezion and Ashkelon, but west of the Judean hills make up the
region. The Dan sub-area occupies the coastal area around Rishon and Rehovot.
The rolling hills around Latroun and Asulam make up the other sub-area. The
Rishon Le-Zion winery in Carmel, Ashkelon wines and the Latroun monastery are
situated in the Samson region.
UP GALIL / GALILEE Region
The Galil region is Israel's foremost wine
growing region and it covers the Golan Heights, Upper Galilei and Lower Galilei.
The high elevation, cooling breezes from North Hermon and rich well drained
volcanic soils make the area suitable for Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc
and Chardonnay. The Golan Heights winery is situated in the Galil region and the
best wines of Yardenn and Carmel are made with the grapes from the premium
vineyards in the region.
UP JUDEAN HILLS Region
The Judean hills west of Jerusalem are cooler
because of their high elevation. There is a large difference between day and
night time temperatures in this area. the sub-areas of this region include
Beth-El, north of Jerusalem and Hebron. In this region there are many small
wineries specialising in sweet kiddush wine like Hebron, Efrat, Hacormim and
also the Cremisan monastery near Beth-Lehem.
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