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The Eshkol Hazahav wine tasting competition, has taken place for the tenth consecutive year. The Gala Dinner was held at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Tel Aviv. The number of wines taking part were 282, from 63 wineries. The tastings, which took place over four days. The tastings were done by a group of selected wine professionals, wine journalists and wine lovers. In all there were 38 judges. Arguably Israel’s two most well-known wineries, Carmel Winery & Golan Heights Winery, won no less than seven gold medals between them.
The most gold medals was won by Carmel Winery with four first places. Carmel’s winning wines were the Appellation Chardonnay 2011, Carmel Kayoumi Riesling 2010, Appellation Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 and Appellation Carignan Old Vines 2008. Carmel is the historic winery of Israel, founded in 1882 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Three of their winning wines were from their good value Appellation wines, a series of regional wines. The winemaker is French trained Lior Lacser.
The Golan Heights Winery won three first places. The winning wines were the Yarden Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Yarden Odem Chardonnay 2010, and Yarden HeightsWine 2010. (Their HeightsWine Dessert Wine is a regular winner.) The Golan Heights Winery, the pioneering winery of Israel was founded in 1983 and is situated at Katzrin. The winemaker in Californian trained Victor Schoenfeld.
Out of the other wineries, Adir Winery and Shiloh Winery both received two gold medals. Adir Winery and Shiloh Winery are rising stars. Adir’ Shiraz and port style wine won gold as did Shiloh’s Merlot and their Legend blend. Adir Winery is situated in the Ramat Dalton Industrial Estate in the Upper Galilee. Founded in 2003 by the Rosenberg and Ashkenazi families, Adir has quickly gained a good name for style and quality. This year their wines won the Regional Trophy and a Gold Medal in the Decanter Awards competition. Shiloh is situated in the Shomron mountains.. The winery was founded in 2005. In last year’s Eshkol Hazahav, Shiloh red wines won three gold medals.
The competition was organized by Studio Ben Ami.
