Moshav Ramot Naftali, Kedesh Valley, Upper Galilee. Tel: (04) 694-0371Galil MountainThis was a winery built in 2000 as a joint venture between Kibbutz Yiron and the Golan Heights Winery. It was built and designed with the wine tourist in mind. The visitor can enjoy a well-oiled journey through the winery and learn about the winemaking process before ending up in their shop, which is almost worth a visit on its own. There, wine accessories vie with the hats, T-shirts and, of course, wine. The winery produces just under a million bottles a year from five Upper Galilee vineyards. Its flagship wines are called Yiron, Meron and Avivim. The Galil Mountain Yiron blend is always excellent, the new Galil blends are full of flavor, and its basic range – including an unoaked Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – is always good value.Kibbutz Yiron, Upper Galilee. Tel: (04) 686-8748. www. galilmountain.co.il Dalton Winery This is one of the most well-organized wineries. Dalton was founded by the Haruni family in 1993 in the Dalton Industrial Estate, which lies near the many vineyards of Kerem Ben-Zimra. It has grown from a small boutique operation to become a winery producing 850,000 bottles a year. The wines, once considered “new world,” are becoming better each vintage as winemaker Na’ama Sorkin, one of the few women winemakers, gains in experience. She studied in Australia and California. Her father, Beni Sorkin, is the one of Israel’s most respected viticulturists, who did so much for the Golan Heights Winery over many years. Dalton Winery has good wines at every price point, but best are the Alma range of blended wines.If I had to select one wine, though, it would be its Petite Sirah, which is a best buy by any criterion.Dalton Industrial Estate. Tel: (04) 698-7683. www.dalton-winery.com Adir WineryFounded in 2003, Adir Winery produces about 50,000 bottles a year. This is one of Israel’s finest and most stylish visitors’ centers, situated in the Dalton Industrial Estate. Beautifully designed, it combines the virtues of Adir wines and the produce of the Adir Dairy. If ever there was a place for a cheese and wine tasting, this is it.You can also enjoy their yogurts and ice creams. While you’re there, don’t miss the excellent short film outlining the story of the two owning families, the Rosenbergs and the Ashkenazis. The drive and perfectionism of Avi Rosenberg, who fulfilled his dream of becoming a winemaker and building the winery, is visible in the design of everything from the labels to the building itself. Their best wine is Plato, which has won awards. My favorite, though, is the new Adir ‘A,’ which is more balanced and represents better value. Dalton Industrial Estate. Tel: (04) 699-1039. www.adir-winery.co.il Adam Montefiore works for Carmel Winery and regularly writes about wine in Israeli and international publications. adam@carmelwines.co.ilFollow @JPost_Lifestyle
Wine Talk: Go Galilee
If you’re going to the North for your summer vacation, make sure to visit some of the country’s loveliest vineyards and wineries.
Moshav Ramot Naftali, Kedesh Valley, Upper Galilee. Tel: (04) 694-0371Galil MountainThis was a winery built in 2000 as a joint venture between Kibbutz Yiron and the Golan Heights Winery. It was built and designed with the wine tourist in mind. The visitor can enjoy a well-oiled journey through the winery and learn about the winemaking process before ending up in their shop, which is almost worth a visit on its own. There, wine accessories vie with the hats, T-shirts and, of course, wine. The winery produces just under a million bottles a year from five Upper Galilee vineyards. Its flagship wines are called Yiron, Meron and Avivim. The Galil Mountain Yiron blend is always excellent, the new Galil blends are full of flavor, and its basic range – including an unoaked Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot – is always good value.Kibbutz Yiron, Upper Galilee. Tel: (04) 686-8748. www. galilmountain.co.il Dalton Winery This is one of the most well-organized wineries. Dalton was founded by the Haruni family in 1993 in the Dalton Industrial Estate, which lies near the many vineyards of Kerem Ben-Zimra. It has grown from a small boutique operation to become a winery producing 850,000 bottles a year. The wines, once considered “new world,” are becoming better each vintage as winemaker Na’ama Sorkin, one of the few women winemakers, gains in experience. She studied in Australia and California. Her father, Beni Sorkin, is the one of Israel’s most respected viticulturists, who did so much for the Golan Heights Winery over many years. Dalton Winery has good wines at every price point, but best are the Alma range of blended wines.If I had to select one wine, though, it would be its Petite Sirah, which is a best buy by any criterion.Dalton Industrial Estate. Tel: (04) 698-7683. www.dalton-winery.com Adir WineryFounded in 2003, Adir Winery produces about 50,000 bottles a year. This is one of Israel’s finest and most stylish visitors’ centers, situated in the Dalton Industrial Estate. Beautifully designed, it combines the virtues of Adir wines and the produce of the Adir Dairy. If ever there was a place for a cheese and wine tasting, this is it.You can also enjoy their yogurts and ice creams. While you’re there, don’t miss the excellent short film outlining the story of the two owning families, the Rosenbergs and the Ashkenazis. The drive and perfectionism of Avi Rosenberg, who fulfilled his dream of becoming a winemaker and building the winery, is visible in the design of everything from the labels to the building itself. Their best wine is Plato, which has won awards. My favorite, though, is the new Adir ‘A,’ which is more balanced and represents better value. Dalton Industrial Estate. Tel: (04) 699-1039. www.adir-winery.co.il Adam Montefiore works for Carmel Winery and regularly writes about wine in Israeli and international publications. adam@carmelwines.co.ilFollow @JPost_Lifestyle