Vinismo is written by its readers -- Internet users like you -- and we need your help! Try our getting started guide to learn how.
Israel is a wine-producing country. It produces wines of all levels of quality, up to the highly regarded vintages of Golan Heights. Most Israeli wine is kosher and made of international varietals.
edit Facts and figures
- Production area:
- Annual production average:
- Main varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewürztraminer
- Annual sales: $140 million (2007) including $21 million in exports, up 42% from 2006.
edit History
The number of wineries in Israel has grown dramatically in recent years, particularly since 2001. There are now about 150 wineries in the country. Sales of Israeli wines reached about $140 million in 2007, including $21 million in exports, up 42% from 2006.
Winemaking in Israel dates back to biblical times. Various archaeological expeditions have discovered ancient wine cellars dated between 600 C.E and 700 C.E.
The Bible itself mentions winegrowing in Israel in Genesis 9:20,21 "And Noah began to be an husbandman and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken".
After the Roman conquest of Judea in 70 C.E., many vineyards were destroyed. The coup de grâce was the rise of Islam in the 7th century, when Muslim leaders banned all alcohol production in the land. Winegrowing in Israel came to a complete stop for the following 1,200 years.
Production started again in 1882 under the impulse of French philanthropist Baron Edmond de Rothschild. In 1906, a collective of grape growers set up what would become the wine cooperative Carmel.
During most of the 20th century, Isreali wine production remained confidential, mostly consumed for religious observances.
A turning point came in 1972 when UC Davis oenologist Cornelius Ough initiated a survey of winegrowing opportunities in Israel.
This study designated Golan Heights as the best place to produce quality wine because of its volcanic soil, cool climate, altitudes, and water available through drip irrigation systems. In 1983 came the Golan Heights Winery, one of the most influential wineries in the Israeli "wine revolution" of the following two decades.
edit Geography
edit Climate
edit Viniculture
edit See also
