Although there are wine events and festivals all year long in Israel, the largest tend to happen outside during our dry season (which happens historically between Passover in the spring and Sukkot in the fall). In the beautiful climate of a Mediterranean region, enjoying wine outside during the evening seems a natural inclination and entitlement whether you are in Israel, Italy, the south of France, California or South Africa (among others).
This year there are several interesting opportunities to try Israeli wines from all over Israel without spending a fortune on gas driving the countryside which also requires paying for tasting fees at each winery. It also saves a lot of time which can be crucial while on vacation in Israel. We can always make more money but time on vacation is a precious resource.
For the price of NIS 100 ($35) and often less 60-80 NIS ($21-$28) which can be the price of tasting at some wineries, participants at festivals can taste from dozens of wineries sometimes from among over 100 wines in one evening. Even if tasting portions are 1 oz. (30ml) each that would be 4 bottles of wine if you tasted every taste of wine and portions are often twice as much. More than enough wine to get a good taste of each wine and more than enough wine over the course of an evening to release your inhibitions and have a good time. Local cheeses, chocolates and olive oils are also often featured with live music throughout the evenings. There’s most often food served at an additional cost at the festival or nearby.
Almost every festival gives a nice tasting glass too which in itself has about a NIS 20 value.
