Golan Heights Winery

Golan Heights Winery, located in Katzrin in northeast Israel, is known as the trigger of the quality revolution in Israeli wine. Before that, Israeli wine had a modest international reputation.

History

The vineyards were first planted in the Golan Heights in 1976. The winery itself was built in 1983 by four kibbutzim and four moshavim, eight agricultural cooperatives that also own it together today.

The first vintage was 1984. Victor Schoenfeld, an oenologist from Napa valley who previously worked at Robert Mondavi and Champagne house Jacquesson & Fils, has been head winemaker since 1992.

In 2012, Wine Enthusiast named it New World Winery of the Year.

The Vineyards, Terroir and Grapes

The winery has around 630 hectares of vineyards across 28 plots in the Golan Heights, divided into approximately 450 separate blocks. Altitudes range from 400 to almost 1,200 metres above sea level. The soils are volcanic basalt.

Cold winters, hot summers and cool nights ensure the grapes have a long ripening period and strong natural acidity.

Grape varities include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewürztraminer, among about 20 varieties in total.

Winemaking and Wines

The harvest from each plot is gathered and fermented separately, providing the team with hundreds of components to work with during blending. All wines are kosher.

The winery produces four ranges: Yarden, the flagship range; Gilgal, focused on the Galilee terroir; Mount Hermon, an entry-level range named after Israel’s highest peak; and Yarden Cru Elite, a series of single-vineyard, single-plot wines launched to mark the winery’s 40th anniversary. Yarden Blanc de Blancs is a sparkling wine produced using the traditional method.

The winery also owns Galil Mountain Winery in the Upper Galilee.