The festival, which has already begun and will continue until November 19, offers a variety of activities connected with wine that will take place in wineries and vineyards.
By MEITAL SHARABIThe Yad Hashmona Country Hotel(photo credit: MEITAL SHARABI)
For years now, Mateh Yehuda has been referred to as the Tuscany of Israel, and during the fall months this nickname is more fitting than ever. More than 30 wineries are collaborating to put together the 18th annual Mateh Yehuda Wine Festival, which just goes to show you how much quality wine is being produced in this small area.The festival, which has already begun and will continue until November 19, offers a variety of activities connected with wine that will take place in wineries and vineyards. In addition, tour operators are organizing special excursions during the festival so that visitors can take hikes as well as eat in nice restaurants.During the weekends of the festival, a variety of events will take place, such as the wine launchings at Zafririm Winery and Kedma Winery, both of which are to be accompanied by live music.Sorek Winery will hold a grape-growing workshop that will end with a wine tasting, and Kerem Barak Winery will hold a Beaujolais festivity with live jazz music, wine and snacks. Ella Valley Vineyards will hold a professional wine tasting in Riedel glasses. Many of the wineries will also hold guided tours during the festival, and I recommend reserving spots to avoid last-minute disappointment.The following wineries will participating in the Mateh Yehuda festival: Teperberg, Mony, Tzora, Flam, Kedma, Samson and Delilah, Navot, Kerem Barak, Sorek, Karmei Yosef Bravdo, Nevo, Rama, Suson Yam, Bar Giora, Katlav, Tzuba, Metzuda, Castel, Yehuda, Anatot, Ella Valley, Yafo, Kela David, Adulam, Hans Sternbach, Zafririm, Srigim, Agur, Sphera, Gizo, Mettler, Roglit, Aharonoff, Latrun and La Terra Promessa.Details for guided tours: Herzl, 052-310-6930; Maoz, 054-779- 1126; Asa’el, 054-771-6845.Winery and restaurant La Terra Promessa Winery will launch a wine called Lakarima Reserve from the 2012 grape harvest. The wine has been resting in barrels for three years, and another year in bottles. The launch takes place today and tomorrow, from noon to 4 p.m.The winery, which is located on Kibbutz Gat, also boasts a restaurant that serves both Italian and traditional Cochin Indian dishes – not a fusion but the serving of the two cuisines side by side. The owners, Sandro and Irit, each prepare dishes from their childhood.Details: 050-568-4775.Cabernet Shiraz blend at Roglit Local wine festivals are an excellent opportunity to become exposed to new and unique wineries. One of the newest additions to the Israeli wine scene is the Roglit Winery, run by Sharon and Yishai Cohen, in Neveh Michael in the Eila Valley. Sharon is the vintner and Yishai is in charge of operations, and during the festival they will offer a Cabernet Shiraz blend.
The young winery produces 1,500 bottles a year, and this summer they also planted a vineyard, so production is expected to grow in coming years.Reservations recommended: 052-880-6469.Bar Bahar vegetarian (and vegan restaurant)After drinking all this wine, I'm sure you'll be ready to relax and fill your growling stomachs at a local restaurant. I suggest enjoying the pastoral surroundings of Mateh Yehuda and diving at a restaurant where you'll be able to enjoy nature while you eat. One such place is Bar Bahar, which has been in operation for 16 years-- a pretty amazing feat for a restaurant outside the city that relies mostly o tourists and travelers. Located in Ness Harim near Bar Giora (Route 386), it was originally established as a place to offer hikers a place to rest, have a snack and ask questions about local trails.Bar Bahar's menu is strictly vegetarian and even includes a number of excellent vegan options. There's beet kubbeh soup, Indian dishes and Balkan pastries. In addition, Bar Bahar serves wines from the local Suson Yam Winery, and Shapiro beer is on tap.ATV rentals and tours, guest rooms and hotelIf you're interested in adding another layers of excitement to your trip, you're in luck, because this is the best time of year to take an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) out in the Judean Hills. There's a place called Pnina B'lev Haya'ar in Moshav Mevo Betar that rents out 101 horesepower Canadian Can-Am off-road vehicles. These are four-person vehicles, and visitors can join guided 90-minute tours that leave from Mevo Betar and reach a height of 730 meters. The tour passes through vineyards near the Israel Trail, and then reaches Begin Park, the largest park in the country.Participants will driv over rocky and undulating terrain and reach spots with breathtaking views. After passing under Kobi Bridge, where you’ll see lots of fig, olive and carob trees, you might even be lucky and catch a glimpse of local gazelles that live near the water.Next, the ATV tour will climb up a steep hill in Aminadav Forest and reach an outlook at 780 meters high, where you will have an incredible view of Nahal Refaim and south toward Gush Etzion and the ruins of ancient Betar, where the last battle between Bar-Kochba and the Romans took place. The tour will then continue on to Yad Kennedy and Khirbet Sa’adim, and then on to Ein Kobi and Mevo Betar.If you have the time, I recommend staying overnight at the luxurious villa where the tour begins, which has eight spacious guest rooms, a nice common space for families with a TV, an indoor heated swimming pool, a spa and a large grassy area.Alternatively, another wonderful place to spend the night is the Yad Hashmona Country Hotel. There are 50 guest houses made from wood imported from Finland, which blend in beautifully with the wooded surroundings. This time of year, when the weather has turned cool, you’ll almost feel like you’re in Europe.Pnina B’lev Haya’ar: NIS 600 for 4-person vehicle.To reserve: David Goldental 054-528-0200.Yad Hashmona Country Hotel: (02) 594-2000.Details: www.tour-yehuda.org.ilTranslated by Hannah Hochner.