Explore Israel's Wine Regions

Check out the list of the best wineries in Israel

The climate of the Israel wine country is well suited for viticulture: winter (October - March) is cool and rich in rainfall, and spring and summer are hot and almost rainless. The grape varieties Mazuelo, (Carignan) and Cabernet Sauvignon thrive best. But as well international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are also grown with great success. Israel at 700 meters altitude (Jerusalem Mountains) is similar in climate to Napa Valley in California. The mountains of the Negev are also above 800 meters. The upper Galilee northwest of the Sea of ​​Galilee is already 800 to 900 meters high; the Golan Heights go up to 1200 meters, comparable to Napa's peaks up to Sonoma. Mostly volcanic rock can be found on the Golan Heights. Powerful, mineral, and lavishly expressive wines are created here. In the upper Galilee, there is a wider range from volcanic rock to slate to granite and limestone rocks, the wine expression ranges from expressively strong to finesse-rich and elegant. In the Jerusalem Mountains, similar to the Carmel Mountains in southern Haifas, the vineyards mainly consist out of limestone, and some chalk. The wines of Jerusalem in particular are a blend of finesse, here the comparison with Santa Cruz in southern San Francisco can be drawn.

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