The following is from Israeli Wines and reprinted with permission
‘TASTED’ is arguably the finest wine magazine you will have seen in your life, or maybe even the most stylish of any magazine that you will ever see. Visually the photographs are sensational and lifelike. Each magazine is a collectors’ item, to be kept & browsed through, like the finest coffee table book. The magazine is published twice a year and there a various special editions such as the ‘New York’ edition or ’Vinexpo’ edition. It sells for EUR 24 or US$35 an issue.
Most interesting for Israel watchers, are two articles recently published.
The ‘Summer 2010 Edition’ also contains an article on Israeli wine entitled:
“Israel: From Baron Rothschild To Robert Parker,” written by Adam Montefiore.
The ‘Winter 2010-2011 New York Edition’ contains an article on Yatir Winery entitled:
“Yatir Winery: Wine From The Forest.”
The Yatir article is in the latest edition. Yatir Winery is featured in the section called ‘Wine of The World’, and it precedes a special article on Chateau Mouton Rothschild. On the back cover is an advertisement of Chateau Lafite Rothschild. The magazine also features the most famous chefs in the worlds including Joel Robuchon, Alain Ducasse, Charlie Trotter and Ferran Adria. In short, this a good place for an Israeli wine to be.
However most impressive is the fact that Michel Rolland, arguably the most famous winemaker in the world, provides a tasting note on Yatir Forest, the flagship wine of Yatir Winery. His notes were as follows:
“Yatir Forest – Judean Hills, 2006 – After a very beautiful dark garnet colour, slightly veiled (absence of filtration?) very attractive aromas of ripe fruits, rather black fruits (blackberries). Many of freshness in mouth, balanced with an attractive weft of tannins, rather silky. Wooden ageing is controlled, finale is rather long. Wine for laying down which will age well. Optimum 2012-2015. Will accompany any shape of meats magnificently and thanks to the quality of the tannin can be drunk in any circumstances.”
M. Rolland
Both articles and details of the magazines, may be found at the following link:
http://www.tastedonline.com/?go=home
The article on Israel is on page 350 of the Summer 2010 Edition of TASTED.
The article on Yatir Winery is on page 58 of the Winter 2010-2011 New York Edition of TASTED.
As much as we might not like, sometimes we get gifts of so-called Kiddish wine. In New York, it’s made with Concord Grapes. In Israel, (even when called Concord), it may not be as rancid as Manishewitz, but it’s still not something I want to drink in my cup.
Several months ago, I solicited suggestions for what to do with kiddush wine. Here were the results:
What would you do?
Esther Cohen of My Israel Wine Tours tastes Dalton’s Viognier.
This article first appeared on wines-israel.co.il and is reprinted with permission
The whole Mount Carmel area has been under international focus since the fierce fires devastated Carmel Forest, the Carmel National Park and the surrounding area.
Mt. Carmel is the north east extension of the Shomron mountains. It is a place where the mountains and the Mediterranean meet. The mountain range rises to a height of 1,800 feet overlooking Haifa Bay, and peters out at Binyamina, where it merges into the Sharon Plain. It is one of the most beautiful places in Israel. The Carmel National Park is the largest in Israel and has become a wildlife refuge. Carmel Forest covers a large area and is made up of oak, pine, olive and laurel trees, many of which were destroyed in the fires. Mount Carmel was a place famous from Biblical times. It was where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. It was an area of wine and olive oil production and many old presses have been discovered by archaeologists. In those days the slopes were covered by terraced vineyards and olive groves. Wines named “Sharon” and “Carmel” were well-known in the period of the Second Temple.
Appropriately the root of the word ‘Carmel’ is Kerem- El, meaning G-d’s vineyard. The area also carries a relevance to Israeli wine in modern times. Mt. Carmel is a sub region of the Shomron Wine Region. It is the historic vineyard area of Israel, being where Baron Edmond de Rothschild first planted vineyards in the 1880’s. For most of the last 100 years it was the largest wine region in Israel. Today, it is no longer the largest, but arguably the southern Mt. Carmel still has the greatest concentration of vineyards, particularly around the winery towns of Zichron Ya’acov and Binyamina.
Mt. Carmel Wineries The area of the southern Mt. Carmel is unique. Within close proximity it is possible to visit wineries from all stages of the development of Israel’s wine industry. Carmel Winery was built in the 1890’s, Binyamina was founded in the 1950’s, Tishbi in the 1980’s and both Tulip and Amphorae in the 2000’s. The region is very accessible for wine tourists. The southern Carmel lies midway between Haifa and Netanya. It is close to Route 2 (the coast road), Route 4 (aka ‘the old road’) and easily accessible from Route 6 – The Yitzhak Rabin Highway. For a visit to all wineries, including the bigger ones, it is advised to book in advance.
TULIP WINERY (Kfar Tikvah, Kiryat Tivon) is situated in Kfar Tikvah, a community which caters for people with disabilities. It may be found at Kiryat Tivon, which is to the west of Mount Carmel, and to the north of Yokneam. The winery was established by the Itzaki family in 2003 and has swiftly gained a name for quality and value. The Visitors Center provides an opportunity to taste wines in a particularly homey atmosphere. Tel. +972 (0)4 9830573.
AMPHORAE VINEYARD (Makura Farm, Kerem Maharal) is a very extravagantly built, technologically advanced winery in a beautiful setting, in the heart of the Carmel Mountains. Founded in 2000, the winery changed hands in 2008. They offer some quite expensive wines and it is also worth visiting the olive oil press, which is situated close to the winery. Tel. +972 (0)4 9840702.
CARMEL WINERY – ZICHRON YA’ACOV CELLARS was built by Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 1892 and remains the largest winery in Israel. It also houses a boutique winery with cutting edge technology and an experimental micro-winery. This is the historic winery of Israel, where it is also possible to see evidence of the more recent quality revolution. Carmel Wine & Culture (Winery St., Zichron Ya’acov) is an innovative and unique center for wine culture which combines wine tourism with wine education. It offers wine workshops, and tutored tastings. Both specialized and personalized tours of the winery may be arranged. The shop contains a selection of bin end wines and magnums unavailable elsewhere. Tel. +972 (0)4 6391788 or [email protected]
SOMEK WINERY(16 Herzl St., Zichron Ya’acov) is a new ‘garagiste’ producing six thousand bottles a year. It is owned by a vine grower, Barak Dahan, whose family were planting vineyards for Rothschild in the 1880’s. His wife, Hila, studied winemaking in Australia. Tel. +972 (0)4 6397982. TISHBI WINERY (Industrial Zone, Binyamina) lies in between Zichron Ya’acov and Binyamina. It was founded in 1985 by Yonatan Tishbi. The present generation’s great grandparents, arrived from Russia in the 1880’s to settle in the tiny village of Shefaya, north east of Zichron. They also became vineyard owners with the sponsorship and encouragement of Rothschild. The Tishbi Winery Visitors Center provides tours, tastings, and a selection of foods, wines and olive oils. Worth seeing is the Alambic Still for distilling brandy, purchased from the Cognac region of France. Tel. +972 (0)4 6288195.
BINYAMINA WINERY is situated in the picturesque town of Binyamina. It was founded in 1952 and was then called Eliaz. It is the fifth largest winery in Israel producing nearly 3 million bottles a year. In 2008 the winery changed hands, and the new owner has invested heavily in new technology. The Visitors Center sits in an old preserved building, surrounded by spacious grounds. The shop offers Binyamina wines and wine accessories. Tel. +972 (0)4 6388643/2 or [email protected]
OTHER LOCAL WINERIES include:Levron – a domestic winery in Haifa.The Cave – Binyamina Winery’s boutique wine, with barrels aged in a real cave.Smadar, Poizner and Efrati – family wineries in the center of Zichron Ya’acov.Salomon – small family winery in Amikam Moshav, west of Zichron.Alona – a family winery at Givat Nili.Each are making wine with character and passion and are well worth a visit.
Mt. Carmel Vineyards In the little closed valleys of Shefaya, north east of Zichron, or the flatter Hanadiv Valley, south of Zichron, it is possible to see many vineyards growing all the main grape varieties. Some of the younger vineyards are trellised to allow for mechanical harvesting, but many of the older vineyards are in bush-vine style, close to the ground. The most successful variety in this area is Carignan, which was first planted in 1882. For many years it was used for cheap blended wines, but is lately producing excellent quality wines from low yield, old vine vineyards.The elevation of the vineyards is up to 150 meters above sea level. Soils range from calcareous clay, terra rossa, limestone to chalk. The climate is Mediterranean. Winters can be cool and rainy and the summers are hot and humid. Moist westerly winds from the Mediterranean provide a cooling influence. The slopes provide a windbreak to protect the vineyards, many of which are situated in little valleys to the east of the hills. Annual precipitation is about 600 mm.A vineyard is the perfect place for a picnic, especially with a bottle of the locally grown wine.
Mt. Carmel Winery Restaurants
If visiting wineries and vineyards makes you hungry, there are some good restaurants situated in the wineries themselves. They offer the opportunity to eat whilst absorbing the winery atmosphere and tasting wines produced closeby to where you are sitting.
TISHBI COFFEE HOUSE, (33 Hameyasdim St. Zichron Ya’acov) is housed in one of the original buildings on the ‘Founders Street’ owned by the Tishbi family. This is an ideal place to begin the day with an Israeli breakfast. Tel. +972 (0)4 6290280.
TISHBI WINERY VISITORS CENTER (Industrial Zone, Binyamina) includes a diary restaurant which is kosher. Here it is possible to sit under the trellised vine to enjoy local cheeses and a glass of wine. Tel. +972 (0)4 6288195.
BISTRO DE CARMEL, (Carmel Winery, Wine St., Zichron Ya’acov) is situated in the ‘Winemaker’s House.’ Today it is a restaurant serving a Mediterranean style, kosher dairy menu. The restaurant is made up of a number of small rooms, suitable for intimate VIP dinners, a balcony overlooking the winery and a large attractive deck pateo, suitable for larger groups or parties. For bookings: Tel. +972 (0)4 6290977
BINYAMINA WINERY VISITORS CENTER (Hanassi St., Binyamina) offers a kosher meat restaurant in the building originally founded in 1925 by Rothschild as a perfume factory. It may also be hired for events, summer functions, business meetings etc. The steaks and salads are recommended. Tel. +972 (0)4 6388643/2 or[email protected]
Ramat Hanadiv Memorial Gardens and Nature Park A visit to the southern Mt. Carmel wine country would not be complete without visiting Ramat Hanadiv. Baron Edmond de Rothschild was known as the ‘father of the yishuv’ by David Ben Gurion. However of all places that he helped, it was Zichron Ya’acov and Mt. Carmel that had a special place in his heart. He purchased land in the area between Zichron Ya’acov and Binyamina, which came to be known as Ramat Hanadiv (‘Hill of The Benefactor’) and requested to be buried there. In 1951 the remains of Baron Edmond de Rothschild and his wife were interred in a specially constructed mausoleum. This is the place for a hike or picnic. Apart from the opportunity to pay respects to the founder of Israel’s wine industry, there are beautiful gardens, a nature park and a short film about Ramat Hanadiv. There are also archaeological and historical remains, including an ancient wine press. Tel. +972 (0) 4 6298111 or www.ramat-hanadiv.org.il
Visit the wineries and vineyards of the southern Mount Carmel and the beautiful town of Zichron Ya’acov and you experience nearly 130 years of Israeli wine culture. You may then agree with Rothschild that this is the Tuscany or Provence of Israel. It remains the heart of Israeli wine.
(This article appeared in wines-israel.co.il and is reprinted with permission)
Mark Squires has written reviews of Israeli wines in the latest edition of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. This is the second major tasting Squires has undertaken on Israeli wines this year. He tasted 76 wines this time. Some wineries sent a large number of wines in the hope a least one would strike lucky. Twenty of the wines were from the Golan Heights Winery. They sent no less than 11 Yarden wines and 9 from Galil Mountain. Eight were from Binyamina and Tabor. However apart from them, there were another 12 Israeli wineries represented. To receive the full list of scores, one has to subscribe to the website, but those that scored over 90 points were as follows:
Castel Grand Vin, Domaine du Castel 2008 93 points Sycra Muscat, Clos de Gat 2006 93 Carmel Limited Edition, Carmel Winery 2007 91 Yatir Forest, Yatir Winery 2007 91 Fringe Full Wine, Avidan Winery 2008 90 Tagkatom Blend des Noirs, Avidan Winery 2008 90 Petit Castel, Domaine du Castel 2008 90
Yarden Heights Wine, Golan Heights Winery 2008 90
Mark Squires has tasted Israeli wine for three years now, doing at least two large tastings a year. He ensured Israel received no less than nine pages in Robert Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide No 7, unprecedented coverage for Israel. He has visited Israel, visited a number of wineries and visited IsraelWine Expo in Tel Aviv. All this is to say, despite criticism he receives, he must by now be the number one specialist of Israeli wines outside Israel. It is hard to know what more an individual needs to do, in order to be regarded as being a specialist in a particular country. He should receive credit for the magnificent coverage he is providing Israel and his views should be taken as seriously as anyone, because on Israel he has done his homework and is up to date as anyone can be who is not resident in Israel.
Robert Parker’s nomination of Mark Squires to be his representative is his personal statement of approval for what is the most influential tasting team on the planet.
The most consistent wines in the Wine Advocate tastings in the last three years have been made by Domaine du Castel from Ramat Raziel and Yatir Winery from Tel Arad. Their best wines are Castel Grand Vin and Yatir Forest, which have each scored 90 or more points five times. This shows consistency not achieved by other Israeli wines. These two wines also share the best score for an Israeli red wine of 93 points. The scores of these particular wines are as follows:
Castel Grand Vin, Judean Hills, Dom. Du Castel
2003 90 points 2004 92 2006 90 2007 91
2008 93
Yatir Forest, Judean Hills, Yatir Winery
2003 93 points 2004 91 2005 90 2006 91
2007 91
Since December 2007, the select few Israeli wines to have received over 90 points from the Wine Advocate and Mark Squires, are as follows:
Yatir Forest 2003 93 points Castel Grand Vin 2008 93
Clos du Gat Sycra Muscat 2007 93
Castel Grand Vin 2004 92 Clos du Gat Sycra Syrah 2007 92
Tzora Or 2006 92
Carmel Limited Edition 2007 91 C Blanc du Castel 2005 91 Castel Grand Vin 2007 91 Yatir Forest 2004 91 Yatir Forest 2006 91 Yatir Forest 2007 91 Yarden HeightsWine 2005 91
Yarden Katzrin 2003 91
A further 29 wines have received a 90 point score from Mark Squires. They are shared between the following wineries: Avidan, Carmel, Castel, Clos de Gat, Flam, Galil Mountain, Golan Heights, Margalit, Mem (Alexander), Pelter, Recanati, Tulip and Yatir.
This article appeared on wines-israel.co.il and is reprinted with permission
Daniel Rogov’s annual guides have been published by Toby Press, with two significant additions this year. Firstly, Rogov’s Guide to Israeli Wines 2011 is published in Hebrew for the first time. This will be very welcome to the Hebrew speaking followers of Rogov.
Secondly Rogov’s two guide books in English are being sold together. So both Rogov’s Guide To Israeli Wines 2011 and Rogov’s Guide To World Kosher Wines 2011 will be available in a boxed set.
Daniel Rogov is an institution in Israel where he has become one of the leading brands advancing Israeli wine. His impact is not less than the best wineries. His books represent Israeli wine on the shelves in the finest bookshops, in the same way that Yarden, Yatir, Castel and Carmel are on the shelves in the finest wine stores. He tastes more Israeli and kosher wines than anyone and still takes time to visit most of the medium and larger wineries without fail each year. He is the only full time wine critic in Israel. He writes for Haaretz newspaper, contributes to Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book and Tom Stevenson’s Wine Report, and manages his own wine discussion forum.
His books are presented very stylishly, as always, by Toby Press. The cover of the Israel book is black and is decorated by the outline of a bottle and glass in silhouette. The Kosher book is similar, but in white. Toby Press, and specifically the owner, Matthew Miller, should be congratulated for their support of Israeli wine. What started off as a three year experiment is now already in its seventh year.
Rogov’s Guide To World Kosher Wines contains a forward written by Adam Montefiore, a history of kosher wines, an explanation of what makes a kosher wine, and a guide of how to taste wines. It does not include Israeli wines this year, but does include wines from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, New Zealand, Cyprus, France, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the United States. The Israeli kosher wines are of course to be found in the Israeli guide.
Rogov’s Guide To Israeli Wines has all the usual features including the history of Israeli wine, vintage reports, explanations of grape varieties and regions. There are also Rogov’s painstakingly written tasting notes with scores, along with a history of scores from previous years. The book has grown somewhat over the last year. The 2010 edition had 487 pages, but the 2011 edition has 603! (The first edition in 2005 had 287 pages.)
This year there are nine wineries that have been awarded the maximum five stars. They are, in alphabetical order: Carmel, Castel, Chateau Golan, Clos de Gat, Flam, Golan Heights, Margalit, Pelter and Yatir. Of these, Carmel, Castel, Golan Heights and Yatir produce wines that are kosher. Chateau Golan, Clos de Gat, Margalit and Pelter produce wines that are not kosher. Flam wines will be kosher from the 2010 harvest. In the World Kosher Guide, the wineries gaining five stars are: Covenant, Hagafen and Herzog.
In the lists at the beginning of the Israel book, the best wineries are adjudged to be: 1. Golan Heights, 2. Yatir, 3. Margalit, 4. Castel and 5. Clos de Gat. There is also a list of the top twenty six wines of the year. This includes 8 wines from the Golan Heights Winery, followed by Carmel with 5, Margalit, Castel and Clos de Gat each with 4 and both Pelter and Yatir with 2 wines. The best scoring kosher wines are: Golan Heights Winery’s Yarden Rom 2006 with 96 points. The best non kosher wine is: Margalit Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve 2008 with 95 points. In the kosher guide, the best scoring wine is: Hagafen Prix Melange 2004 with 95 points.
Apart from Rogov’s ratings and scores, this Israeli book is useful for another reason. It has the most extensive list of Israeli wineries that there is. There are over 150 wineries listed. It is slightly absurd to say, but lists of wineries published by government bodies like the Wine & Grapes Board, Wine Institute and Israel Export Institute do not come near to matching the numbers in Rogov’s book. Nor do the number of wineries listed in websites like www.wines-israel.co.il (in Hebrew), www.wines-israel.com (in English) and in other books like The Wine Route of Israel come close. So quite apart from being an excellent guide book, it is also most comprehensive list of Israeli wineries that exists – by far.
Rogov’s Guides 2011 comprising the two books, covers over 240 wineries and over 2,600 wines. The cost of the boxed set compilation is attractively priced at only NIS 149 or US$ 29.95. It can be bought in book shops, including Borders and Barnes & Noble in the US, Foyles and Waterstones in the UK. It is also available on Amazon at a reduced price.
The Hebrew book ‘Madrich Rogov l’Yayinot Yisrael’ costs NIS 129 at Steimatzky or at winery visitor centers. This the perfect gift for the Hebrew speaking Israeli who up to now, has only had the opportunity of reading Rogov’s Guide in English.
Both books improve the high standards of previous years.
Good job Rogov!
The following article is from wines-israel.com and reprinted with permission.
In December 2011, Zichron Ya’acov enters its 130th year. It was way back in December 1882, that settlers from Romania, first arrived in Givat Zamarin to put up their first tents and then houses. It was 130 years ago that they took their first tentative steps to viticulture. The first exploratory vineyards were planted using Carignan cuttings taken from the Mikveh-Israel Agricultural School. It was the start of a romance with wine which has continued until today.
Zichron Ya’acov is a pretty, unpretentious town, on the southern slopes of Mount Carmel, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It is 170 meters above sea level and lies 61 km north of Tel Aviv and 35km south of Haifa. It is close to Route 2 (the coast road), Route 4 (aka ‘the old road’) and easily accessible from Route 6 – The Yitzhak Rabin Highway.
It is often regarded as the Tuscany or Provence of Israel. The small town still has the village appearance of pre-state Israel. The Founders Street (HaMeyasdim) has been turned into a pedestrian area allowing tourists to browse in craft shops, eat in Mediterranean style restaurants or sip coffee in the coffee shops and watch the world go by. Many of the houses are original, with the descendants of the original founding families still living in them.
In 1887 Baron Edmond de Rothschild visited Zamarin for the first time. At his request, the village was renamed ‘Zichron Ya’acov’, which means In Memory of Jacob. The Jacob in this instance was Edmond’s father, who had purchased Chateau Lafite, the most famous winery in the world, for the Rothschild family. Possibly this was a significant factor in his determination to create a modern wine industry in Israel.
Rothschild first planted extensive vineyards and then built the large winery at Zichron Ya’acov, with deep underground cellars. The first harvest was received in August 1892.The success of Zichron Ya’acov, then basically a farming village, was regarded with some jealousy by the other colonies supported by Rothschild. They used to refer to it as ‘Little Paris’ as it became a symbol of new Israel. Well over 100 years later Zichron Ya’acov, now a town, still sits on Mt. Carmel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. There are still vineyards on either side of the mountain ridge and, though it has grown, it still retains its own special atmosphere.
At Zichron, it is possible to visit the largest winery in Israel (and one of the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean or Middle East) and also small garagistes, producing a few thousand bottles a year. This is the home of the most traditional wine growing region in Israel. This is the heart of the Israeli wine scene.
A tour of Zichron inevitably involves wine. There are wineries, vineyards, wine shops and restaurants serving wine. These are some recommended stops to nourish both the stomach and palate.
CENTER OF ZICHRON
Tishbi Coffee House, 33 Hameyasdim St. (Founders St.)
This is housed in one of the original buildings on the ‘Founders Street’ owned by the Tishbi family, a veteran family of wine growers. Here it is possible to begin the day with either an Israeli breakfast or a special selection of wine and cheeses. There is also full range of Tishbi wines & Tishbi foods available. It is a place to meet and be seen. Tel. +972 (0)4 6290280.
Somek Winery, 16 Herzl St.
A ‘garagiste’ winery situated in the road adjacent to Hameyasdim, producing seven thousand bottles a year. It is owned by a vine grower, Barak Dahan, whose family were planting vineyards for Rothschild in the 1880’s. His wife, Hila, studied winemaking in Australia. Their vineyards are in the Hanadiv Valley, in the foothills of Zichron. The winemaker studied winemaking in Australia. Book in advance. Tel. +972 (0)4 6397982. www.somek-winery.co.il
Smadar Winery, 31 Hameyasdim St. (Founders St.)
A small winery owned by local vineyard owner Motti Shapira, whose forebears planted Rothschild’s first vineyards. The winery, which produces 4-5,000 bottles a year, is situated in old stables, which are part of one of the original houses in Zichron. Book in advance.Tel. +972 (0)4 6390777.
Nili Wine House & Restaurant, 43 Hamayesdim St.
This is a charming café style restaurant, which seconds as a wine shop. The quiches are particularly recommended. The wine shop specializes in kosher boutique wineries.
It is a good place to find representation of some of the lesser known wines. Tel. +972 (0)4 6292899.
Daniels Burger Bar, 66 Hameyasdim St. (Founders St.)
Daniels is a newish restaurant with the best burger in town. This is a good venue for casual dining. Many of the dishes are homemade. They have a long table for larger groups. Daniels also has a good range of wines. Tel. +972 (0)4 6291222.
Poizner Winery, 71 Hameyasdim St. (Founders St.)
This is a small, domestic winery set up by the Poizners, who were also one of the founding families of Zichron Ya’acov. The father, Yossi is the wine grower, tending to the vineyards and the son, Yoav, is the winemaker. They produce about 3,500 bottles a year. Book in advance. Tel. +972 (0) 52 3224220 or +972 (0) 52 3202323.
GIVAT ZAMARIN, THE EASTERN CORNER OF ZICHRON
Carmel Winery, Derech Ha’Yayin (Wine St.)
Carmel’s Zichron Ya’acov Wine Cellars was built in 1892 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild.
This is the country’s largest winery and also the most historic winery building in Israel. It represents the story of Israel, the history of Israeli wine and the recent quality revolution. A modern, small state of the art facility was added to allow winemaking from individual vineyards and in 2011 the whole winery was upgraded. It is now one of the best equipped and most up to date wineries in the country. New world and old world winemaking in one setting. www.carmelwines.co.il
Carmel Wine & Culture, Derech Ha’ Yekev (Winery St.)
The Center for Wine Culture offers professional winery tours, tutored tastings and wine workshops. A visit offers a unique wine experience which is a fusion of wine tourism and wine education. The Wine & Culture Shop stocks older vintages and rare bin ends. All bookings for tours and tastings must be made in advance. Tel. +972 (0)4 6391788 [email protected]
Bistro de Carmel, Derech Ha’Yayin, (Wine St.)
Bistro de Carmel is situated in the ‘winemaker’s house’. It is a restaurant serving a Mediterranean style, kosher dairy menu. The restaurant is made up of a number of small rooms, suitable for intimate VIP dinners, a balcony overlooking the winery and a large attractive wooden deck are, suitable for larger groups or parties. The restaurant has an innovative wine list with tasting flights. For bookings: Tel. +972 (0) 4 6290977. http://bistrodecarmel.rest-e.co.il/
Adama Restaurant, 8 Ma’ale Harishonim
This is a relatively new, quality family restaurant housed in one of the original Zamarin buildings, which used to be stabling for horses. The food is of good quality and the setting cannot be bettered. Adama Restaurant carries an extensive, fine wine list, with quality Israeli wines sourced from all over the country. Tel. +972 (0)4 6293184.
Pavo Brewery, 14 Ma’aleh Rishonim
The new trend in Israel is for micro-breweries and this is one of the best. It has a beer garden and a balcony overlooking the Shefaya vineyards and Wadi Milek. They offer five quality beers and it is possible to drink, taste and eat. It is always good to wind down with a few beers after a day of wine tastings. Tel. +972 (0)4 6398988. www.pavo.co.il
SOUTHERN PART OF ZICHRON
Ramat Hanadiv Memorial Gardens and Nature Park
Ramat Hanadiv (‘Hill of The Benefactor’) is the most beautiful part of Zichron. It is a perfect place for a hike through the beautiful gardens, and the nature park. There are also archaeological and historical remains, including an ancient wine press, and a short film, which is worth seeing. For those that want to pay their respects to the founder of the Israeli wine industry, Baron Edmond de Rothschild is interred in a specially constructed mausoleum. Tel. +972 (0) 4 6298111. www.ramat-hanadiv.org.il
Gan Ehud
This is a small park and the most tranquil area in Zichron. This is the place for a picnic for young families. Gan Ehud is named after Ehud Efrati, z”l, who fell whilst on reserve duty for the IDF in October 2007. He was a man of the soil and a man of Zichron. He was also a wine grower and vintner. The park is surrounded by the Hanadiv Valley (Bikat Hanadiv) vineyards.
Tishbi Winery
Tishbi Winery lies in between Zichron Ya’acov and Binyamina. It was founded in 1985 by Yonatan Tishbi and remains a family affair. Here it is possible to sit under the trellised vine to enjoy local cheeses and a glass of wine. The winery has a bakery and good food. Worth seeing is the Alambic Still for distilling brandy, purchased from the Cognac region of France. Also the Valrona chocolate tasting room is a highlight. A tasting of fine chocolates with various wines wines is both an original idea and popular with chocoholics. Tel. +972 (0) 4 6288195.
www.tishbi.com
WESTERN PART OF ZICHRON
Zimnavoda Winery, 7 Yaakov Kadesh
This is a very small domestic winery, belonging to the Zimnavoda family of veteran wine growers. Their nursery supplied young vines to wineries all over the country. Yehuda Zimnavoda was Chairman of the Israel Wine & Grapes Board for many years and also of the Wine Growers Co-operative.
Tel. +972 (0)4 6399303
