There are certain regions in the world that excel at making rich, high-quality wine. The secret lies in the terrain—in order for the grapes to thrive, the environment must have the proper temperature, climate, elevation and soil type. Some areas are more conducive to wine-making than others, such as Napa Valley in California and Mediterranean countries like Italy, France and Spain.
These regions’ reputation for wine-growing is well-known. France is one of the top wine-producing regions in the world, with several French wines like Bordeaux and Champagne actually bearing the same names as the towns that produce them. Italy has produced such classics as Chianti Classico, which originated from Tuscany, while Spain currently contains the largest vineyard acreage in the world.
While these Mediterranean countries have long been behemoths in wine production, another nearby country is emerging as one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing wine regions in the world: Israel. The country’s diverse microclimates, mineral-rich soils and centuries-old winemaking techniques are producing notable wines that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with countries like Italy and France.
“I like to joke that we’ve been making wine for 5,000 years, and now the world is beginning to realize that we are one of the fastest-growing wine regions,” says Josh Greenstein, Executive Vice President of the Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA). “A lot of prepping, practicing and refining was necessary to get our wine to the caliber it’s achieved today.”
The IWPA represents nearly 40 wineries nationwide, including both boutique estates and leading producers of the country’s world-class wines. Part of its aim is to introduce US consumers to what sets the country apart from other wine regions—not only does it have a unique climate and a wide range of indigenous varietals, it also uses an innovative irrigation technique called drip irrigation.
While many IWPA wineries have relied on drip irrigation for years, the technology has only recently started to spread outward to vineyards across the world, where it’s affected modern agriculture and viticulture. Drip irrigation uses a network of tubes and emitters to deliver slow, targeted hydration directly to each vine’s root zone, reducing water loss and increasing hydration despite limited rainfall. With such a targeted approach, winemakers are able to fine-tune irrigation based on grape variety, soil type and microclimate. The result is the production of wines with consistency, depth and character.
IWPA wineries have access to some of the country’s indigenous varietals, including Argaman, a vibrant grape known for its deep color, bold tannins and notes of blackberry, spice and Mediterranean herbs; Dabouki, an ancient white grape known for making aromatic wines with floral notes and a light acidity; and Marawi (also known as Hamdani), a white grape associated with crisp, mineral-forward wines.
International varietals also thrive amidst the country’s wine-drenched vineyards. Cabernet Sauvignon takes on an even more robust, age-worthy flavor as it grows along the Judean Hills and Upper Galilee. Syrah thrives in the Mediterranean climate, unleashing dark fruit, spice and savory flavors. Both warm and cool climate varietals thrive in the country’s terroir, from Grenache and Carignan to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Whether grown in the shaded mountains of Galilee or the sun-drenched Negev Desert, these varietals are producing wines that are rich, complex and memorable.
Currently, the IWPA represents over 40 wineries, including:
1848 Winery
Alexander Winery
Barkan Winery
Ben Ami Winery
BNNUN Winery
Binyamina Winery
Carmel Winery
The Cave Winery
Covenant Israel
Domaine du Castel
Ephod Winery
Feldstein Winery
Flam Winery
Pinto Winery
Gros Winery
Gush Etzion Winery
Jezreel Valley Winery
Matar by Pelter
Morad Winery
Nadiv Winery
Château Golan
Netofa Winery
Odem Mountain Winery
Or Haganuz Winery
Psagot Winery
Raziel Winery
Segal Winery
Shamay Galilee Winery
Shiloh Winery
Stoudemire Wines
Tabor Winery
Teperberg Winery
Tulip Winery
Tura Winery
Tzuba Winery
Vitkin Winery
Weiss Winery
Yayin Winery
Yali Winery
Zion Winery
While the country has yet to produce the same volume of wine as France or Italy, the quality of its wine is quickly making a name for itself. Wine tourists from across the world are visiting IWPA wineries to explore their vineyards and taste their wide selection of wines. But one doesn’t need to leave home to enjoy one of IWPA’s flavorful wines. IWPA selections are available in restaurants and bottle shops in all 50 states and at www.iwpa.com. The next time an occasion calls for wine, consider trying a bottle from this dynamic, fast-growing region.
Members of the editorial and news staff of Life & Style were not involved with the creation of this content. All contributor content is reviewed by Life & Style staff.
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