Israel is one of the most ancient wine-growing countries in the world, and its viticultural history can be traced far back into antiquity. It is even stated in the Bible that the vine is one of God's blessed plants. However, Palestine at that time did not correspond to the borders of Israel today; it also included parts of today's Lebanon, for example. For a long time, however, viticulture did not play a significant role; it was the Crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries that brought the vine back to the Middle East. Israel's viticulture received a considerable boost from a generous donation of French vines by Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 1882. The wine-growing regions are spread from north to south, beginning in the north with Galilee with the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Some researchers even suspect this was the origin of viticulture around 10,000 BC. In the centre lies Samaria and Samson, the lowlands between the Judean mountains and the coast, Judea itself and, in the deep south, the Negev Desert, on the boundary of which vines are grown. However, this is only possible in this particular region with sophisticated irrigation systems. Altogether, they form a vineyard area of about 3,000 hectares. Relatively little wine is drunk in Israel; much of it is exported to the Jewish communities of the world, where it plays a role above all in religious rituals. Therefore, a particular speciality is "kosher" wine", for the production of which only Sabbath-observant Jews are allowed to handle the entire winemaking process. According to religious rules, these vineyards have to have a sabbatical year and lie fallow and rest. Overall, several wineries produce wines of high international standards today.
The best wines from Israel
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Best wines from this region
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2012 » Misty Hills«
Tzora Vineyards
Israel
Red Wine
95
2020 Tzora Vineyards Misty Hills
Tzora Vineyards
Israel
Red Wine
94
2019 Domaine du Castel Grand Vin
Domaine du Castel
Bet Schemesch,
Israel
Red Wine
14%
94
2019 Tzora Vineyards Misty Hills
Tzora Vineyards
Israel
Red Wine
14,5%
94
2014 Yarden Galilee ROM
Golan Heights Winery
Golan Heights,
Israel
Red Wine
14,5%
94
2010 Carignan
Vitkin Winery
Israel
Red Wine
Carignan
94
2021 C Blanc du Castel Judean Hills
Domaine du Castel
Israel
White Wine
Chardonnay
93
2020 Domaine du Castel Grand Vin
Domaine du Castel
Israel
Red Wine
93
2020 Judean Hills Blanc
Tzora Vineyards
Israel
White Wine
13,5%
93
2019 Flam Noble
Weingut Flam Winery
Israel
Red Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon
15%
93
2018 Judean Hills Blanc
Tzora Vineyards
Israel
White Wine
Chardonnay
13,5%
93
2009 » Shiraz Kerem Ben Zimra«
Adir Winery
Israel
Red Wine
Syrah
93
2009 » Yatir Forest«
Yatir Winery
Israel
Red Wine
93
2021 Tzora Vineyards Shoresh Blanc
Tzora Vineyards
Israel
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
92
2020 Sphera White Concept Sauvignon Blanc
Sphera Winery
Israel
White Wine
Sauvignon Blanc
12,5%
92
2020 Sphera White Signature
Sphera Winery
Israel
White Wine
Sémillon
13,5%
92
2018 Sphera White Concept Chardonnay
Sphera Winery
Israel
White Wine
Chardonnay
12,5%
92
2018 Sphera White Signature
Sphera Winery
Israel
White Wine
13,5%
92
2017 Tzora Vineyards Shoresh Red
Tzora Vineyards
Israel
Red Wine
14%
92
2016 Yarden Galilee Viognier
Golan Heights Winery
Golan Heights,
Israel
White Wine
Viognier
14,5%
92
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