Israeli wines that aren't kosher?

One of the myths about Israeli wine is that all wine from Israel is kosher, and that if you aren't an observant Jew, than wines from Israel (whether kosher or non) hold no interest for you.

FALSE!!!!

Israel is making great wines, both kosher and non. Wine is kosher if it's been handled only by strictly Orthodox Jews – but this doesn't affect the taste. But, of course, not all Israelis are observant, and thus not all winemakers make kosher wine. Gary Vaynerchuk, of Wine Library TV fame, tried out a few in a WLTV episode from a few months back.

While he checked out Flam, Pelter, Karmei Yosef (kosher as of the current 2007 vintage), and Meisher, one of the wines he misses out on is Clos de Gat. Available in the United States for a few years now and sold by the Israel Wine Company, Clos de Gat is one great example of awesome non-kosher Israeli wine.

Besides a few misconceptions about Israel (we're not sitting around fighting each other, we're too busy drinking wine and creating high tech innovation), Gary V has an interesting perspective on non-kosher wine from Israel.

Israeli wineries near Jerusalem

This great video showcases the Judean Hills wine route - that is, wineries near Jerusalem. I already wrote about Ella Valley last time, but other wineries including Clos de Gat (available from the Israel Wine Company), Ruth, Flam, Tzora, Agur, Teperberg 1870 are also located in the area.

Adam Sandler (The Zohan) and crew like their Israeli Wine with Humous!!

Adam, his producer Jack, and chef Albert came up to my winery for a tour and tasting. They loved the wine and winery and were super friendly. In fact, they invited us to come check out their latest set and filming of Bedtime Stories at Castello Di Amarosa. I brought them some Israeli wine and they'll be signing up for the Israel Wine Company, Israeli Wine Club!!! I was told that Jackie (Adam's wife), will like the Rimon Desert Wine, and the Clos De Gat Merlot will probably be tasted tomorrow in their trailer. Thank you guys for being so hospitable and friendly.

Photo optimized by Robb Farrington Digital

Wine Spectator makes Exclusive Video about Israeli Wines

Check it out here:

Israeli Wine video by The Wine Spectator

They reviewed Clos De Gat which was one of the wineries that was part of our May Selection!!!

IWC May 2008 Wine Club Selections

Dear Israel Wine Company Member (and potential member),

Happy 60th Birthday to the State of Israel!!!!

Your wine for May has shipped and is on it's way to your house or office!!

We are excited to bring you Israel’s finest wines and to connect you with Israel’s finest boutique wineries. Below you will find information on this month’s selections.

If you have not yet signed-up, you can still get May's selections if you sign-up here http://IsraelWineCompany.com/join.html before the end of the month

We have started a blog on our site for your reviews and comments about each shipment. Please let us know what you think of your wines by leaving a review in the comments section.

We appreciate your membership and look forward to providing you with unparalleled service. Please contact me with any questions or if you would like to order more of this month's wine selections at ari@israelwinecompany.com

Of course, Wine Club Members receive a 10% discount.

L’Chaim,

Ari Erle
Israel Wine Company, Founder


May, 2008, Israel Wine Company Exclusive Offerings:

Clos De Gat: Harel Syrah 2005

Clos de Gat is situated in the picturesque foothills of the Judean mountains near Jerusalem, bordering on Israel’s biblical Ayalon Valley, where Joshua defeated the Five Kings.
In 1998, in partnership with Kibbutz Harel, winemaker Eyal Rotem who learned winemaking in Australia, began planting vines and building a winery on the land surrounding
his house, thus turning a long-harboured dream into reality.
An ancient “Gat” (Hebrew for wine press), pre-dating the Roman period, is located in the grounds of the modern winery, set in the heart of the Clos de Gat vineyards.

When I was there, I saw the open top elongated vats that the Syrah was made in. It has 30% new oak and was not fined or filtered.

Tasting Notes
I chose this Syrah as one of the first wine club wines because it is a perfect example of how unique Israeli Boutique Wines have become today. It is a very difficult wine for a wine expert to place. It has 'old world' aroma's but is made in a 'new world' style. This Syrah has spicy, earthy, and red fruit aromas, with some black pepper and licorice. It is deep, dark and has good intensity. I think this Harel Syrah would go well with a
Mediterranean Moussaka.

Retail Price: $35




Ella Valley Vineyards: Chardonnay, 2004

Located at the site where David defeated Goliath, Ella Valley Vineyards and Winery in the Ella Valley makes high quality wines from a multitude of estate vineyards located in this historic setting. The soil and climate in this valley at the footsteps to the Jerusalem mountains, are perfect for high-quality wine growing.
Established in 1998 by the owner of Spring Mountain Vineyards in Napa, this once very small winery is growing quickly, with it's focus on quality and wide range of varietal based wines. Winemaker, Dron Rav-Hon brings experience and study from Burgundy and likes to concentrate on intensity and tannin in his wines. Dron uses upright, Italian, stainless steel tanks to carress the intensity and tannin out of the 100% Estate Grapes.

Tasting Notes
Brilliant golden yellow color. Ripe, complex aromas of pear, spiced apple & hazelnut. This is not your typical CA Chardonnay. The nice acid level on this wine gives it a good, crisp stucture that will go well with food. Well integrated oak flavors round out the palate with a hint of toasted white bread and yeast. I would pair this wine with Terryaki Salmon on the BBQ.

Retail Price: $21

Please visit: www.IsraelWineCompany.com to learn more.

israel wine company| +1 (707) 307-4303 | ari@israelwinecompany.com