Mia Luca Winery: Quality wines worth your money

While not a market disruptor, Mia Lucia's offerings are commendable, reflecting Mediterranean varietals and expert craftsmanship from seasoned winemaker Kobi Arviv.

By AVI EFRATI

OCTOBER 30, 2024 12:18

Mia Luca Winery (photo credit: Johannes Felten) — Mia Luca Winery

(photo credit: Johannes Felten)

Kobi Arviv is the chief winemaker at the large, industrial Ramat Gan Winery. In parallel with his role there, he has been associated since 2008 with Garage Winery, a small winery named Mia Luca.

Initially, Arviv produced wines based on Bordeaux varietals (such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot), but gradually, as part of the "Mediterranean Revolution" in the Israeli wine industry, the winery began focusing exclusively on Mediterranean varietals.

The wines are crafted with care, produced in small quantities, following old-world winemaking methods from southern France, and are exceptionally well-made. In this tasting, we featured one white, one "Blanc de Noir," and three reds, two of which are varietals.

The main varietals in focus are Colombard, Carignan, Syrah, and Marselan. The quality is undeniable, with excellent balance and adherence to the qualities of the region and varietal, distinguishing them from the winemaker's intervention, which is evident in these wines. All are of high quality, elegant, understated, and truly expressive of the varietals.

Wines like these cannot be inexpensive or compete solely on value for money. That’s just how it is with such wineries; they don’t have the means to disrupt markets. Consequently, the value-for-money aspect has been omitted from this review. I will simply state that, given their undeniable qualities, the pricing is entirely reasonable. Mia Luca wines are available here. Cheers!

Mia Luca, Blanc de Noir 2023

The Blanc de Noir is composed of 93% Colombard and 7% Dorif from mature vines in the Galilee, grown in basalt and terra rossa soil. The Dorif fermented in whole clusters with Colombard juice, aged in French oak barrels of 225 and 500 liters. It has a pale pink color, with red fruit and spice on the nose. Medium body. Alcohol content: 11%.

Price: NIS 150.

Best paired with: Chicken and veal dishes, fish, and seafood.

Reviewer’s comment: Good fruit, restrained and not overwhelming. Excellent dryness, pleasant acidity, slightly fuller body compared to similar local wines. The presence of Dorif is notable. Very elegant with a high gastronomic potential.

Mia Luca, Blanc 2023

Composed of 95% Colombard and 5% Sauvignon Blanc from mature vines in the Galilee, where basalt soil is mixed with chalk. The two varietals fermented separately in whole clusters. The blend was created post-fermentation, aged in 500-liter French oak barrels. It has a slightly pale golden color, with delicate white fruit and floral notes on the nose. Light to medium body. Alcohol content: 11%.

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Price: NIS 150.

Best paired with: Fish, seafood, and shellfish.

Reviewer’s comment: Refined, charming fruit that is not overwhelming; excellent balancing acidity. A mineral touch with a hint of spice. Restraint and relative delicacy. Colombard is outstanding.

Mia Luca, CSM 2022

This blend of Carignan, Syrah, and Marselan comes from vineyards in Upper Galilee and the Judean foothills (terra rossa, chalk, and clay soil). Hand-harvested and selective picking were employed. Some of the fruit fermented with the stems in whole clusters, while part was fermented with added stems to the juice. Fermentation occurred in large tanks with manual mixing (using a Pigeage rod) without machinery. After two weeks of fermentation, the blend was created and aged for nine months in French oak barrels. Bottled unfiltered. It has a red, slightly ruby color, with red fruit and abundant spices on the nose. Medium body. Alcohol content: 12.5%.

Price: NIS 150.

Best paired with: Ribs, T-bone steak, and lamb shanks. Beef tartare.

Reviewer’s comment: Relatively slender body, with pronounced fruit that is predictably restrained. Significant presence of spices. Notable minerality. Great refinement, softness, and elegance without veering into excessive velvetiness.

Mia Luca, Syrah & Stems 2022

Syrah grapes from Galilee vineyards. Two-thirds of the wine fermented with the stems (some in whole clusters and some with added stems), in large tanks and with manual mixing (using a Pigeage rod) without machinery. It underwent 11 months of aging in French oak barrels, blended on the lees. Bottled unfiltered. It has a deep red color, with red fruit and spices on the nose. Medium body. Alcohol content: 12%.

Price: NIS 165.

Best paired with: Lamb and sheep stew, beef stews, steaks, aged beef on the bone.

Reviewer’s comment: A bit more substantial than the previous wine but still with a body that remains medium at most, holding delicate fruit well, varied yet restrained, and an abundance of spices that manage to avoid excessive sharpness. The expression range of the Syrah is especially well manifested, thanks in part to the contact with the stems. A harmonious wine, well-balanced, not overwhelming according to genre standards, leaving room for the food while succeeding as an excellent companion. Worth tasting now. It has aging potential of at least 7-8 years, perhaps more, under suitable storage conditions.

Mia Luca, Whole Cluster Marselan 2022

Marselan grapes from Galilee vineyards (chalk and terra rossa soil). Whole clusters were introduced into containers filled with CO2 for 72 hours, initiating fermentation within the berries and starting to release juice as they burst. Gentle mixing with a Pigeage rod (without machinery) during the three-week fermentation period. Careful separation from the skins, without filtration. Aged for 11 months in French oak barrels without filtration. It has a deep red color, with red fruit, spices, and floral notes on the nose. Medium to full body. Alcohol content: 12%.

Price: NIS 175.

Best paired with: Lamb and sheep stew, aged beef on the bone.

Reviewer’s comment: In addition to charming restrained fruit and a generally significant seasoning, as expected from the varietal, this wine also has a notable floral dimension. Freshness, cleanliness, exceptional elegance, and undeniable quality, which, as with all the reds thus far, contribute to a very high gastronomic potential. An excellent wine.