An Intimate Wine Experience in Zichron Yaakov

10/26/2010

 
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After a long week of group touring in Israel, Jay, Shelly, David and Joni enjoyed an intimate day with me touring the wineries in the Carmel Region.

During the drive north to Tishbi Winery, I explained to them the history of Israeli wine, the modern day Israeli wine industry and the differences of wine regions in Israel. At Tishbi Winery they saw the outdoor facility, oak barrel room and Brandy Distillery.  They tasted the newly released Jonathan Tishbi Special Reserve from Sde Bokar, 2007.  

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We then strolled around the Botanical Gardens of Ramat HaNadiv and they loved the beauty of the Sea view and landscape.  The weather was beautiful so we took a walk down the Promenade and enjoyed fruit yogurt and shopping in boutique stores.

We then visited Somek Winery and Barak, the owner and winemaker, gave us a tour of his winery in his backyard. He just finished the harvest a couple of weeks ago, so we got to see the fermenting grapes in the tank.  We tasted Somek's newly released Adom blend which is his youngest wine, only oaked for 12 months, not yet ready, but it will be very tasty. We also tasted his Chardonnay 2008, Cargnan 2005, Birkat HaNadiv 2005 and Port-style wine.

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Our last winery was Amphorae winery, where we saw the high-quality and crisp equipment and went into the very chilly wine cellar.  We tasted their Merlot-Barbara Unica, which was a favorite among the group.

By the end of the day…David and Joni want to come back to Israel for more and Jay and Shelly found some new wines to buy in Brookline.

 

TelAlivit Jerusalem Wine Tour

10/24/2010

 
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Exploring the ancient wine press at Tzuba Winery
Once a month My Israel Wine Tours andTelAlivit coordinate a wine event for young adults in the Tel Aviv area.  This month My Israel Wine Tours coordinated a kosher Jerusalem Hills wine tour.  

On Friday, October 22nd, 18 young adults from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem enjoyed a day wine tour in the Jerusalem Hills.  We visited two wineries, Tzuba Winery and Agur Winery.  From the picture, you can see we visited an ancient wine press that dates back to the second temple.   Israel has always been a land that produced wine and in the time of the temples Israel was a center for wine production and sales.

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Steven explaing Tzuba Vineyards
We went into the vineyards and the guide explained the growing process as well as how kosher wine starts from when the vine is planted.   We then enjoyed a private tasting with cheese, veggies and crackers. We tasted the Chardonnay 2009, Shiraz 2008, Merlot 2008, the Metzuda blend 2006 and the dessert wine which is a late harvest Chardonnay.

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Tasting at Tzuba Winery
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Tasting at Agur Winery with Shuki
We then traveled to Agur Winery where we sat outside on comfy chairs and heard from Shuki, the winemaker, on how winemaking is a way of life and a form of art. We tasted his Blanco which is a blend of Johannesburg Riesling and Viognier; the Rose which is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon; next was the Kessem blend which is a Bordeaux style blend; and lastly the Kessem Reserve which was a bold wine!

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Aviva and Scott enjoying Agur Wine!

Everyone enjoyed themselves and now they know a little bit more about the history of Israeli wine as well as some new delightful wines. 

Look for our next event in November!
 

The Canadian cousins tour the Upper Galilee Wineries!

10/14/2010

 
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Beautiful outlook of the vineyards, Galil Mountain Winery
On Tuesday, October 12th, Sydney and her 6 first-cousins from Canada met me for a day wine tour in the Upper Galilee.  Our first winery was the Galil Mountain Winery where they toured the beautiful facility and got a detailed explanation of the process of how wine is created.   They loved the Avivim (blend of Chardonnay and Viognior) and enjoyed the Yiron wine.

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Lechaim - Adir Winery
We then traveled to Adir Winery and tasted the Shiraz 2008, Cabernet 2007, Plato 2007, and Plato 2005, which was enjoyed by all.  We finished the tasting with goat icecream and dessert wine and Port-style wine.  They loved the different and unique tasted of each goat cheese and will be enjoying it for many weeks to come in their homes in Canada.

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Rimon Winery
As POM juice is a favorite at home, our next winery visit was to Rimon Winery which was something different, and although they did not enjoy the wines so much, they did enjoy the pomegranate jams.  

The last winery, Miles Winery, was the most enjoyable atmosphere because we went into Molly’s home and saw her underground cellar with oak barrels and fermentation barrels. The day was enjoyed by all and ended with a nice Israeli Arab lunch in Gush Halev.  



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At Miles Winery with owner, Molly, smelling th fermentation barrels
 

Agmon Winery Visit

10/07/2010

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Yesterday, Wednesday, October 6, I traveled to Pardes Hana and visited Agmon Winery. Agmon Winery was founded in 2006 by Adi Mizrahi and his wife.  Adi grew up in Zichron Yaakov and is 4th generation from the first aliyah. His family is of Yemen decendancy.  

After the army, Adi decided to learn Computer Science and after working years in computer science, he decided to follow his passion of cooking. He went to culinary school and was a top chef in Tel Aviv. 

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While Adi was learning about cooking, he was also learning about wine!  He grew up around farmers and decided in 2006 that he also wanted to work the land and become a winemaker. 

Agmon Winery is a quaint and beautiful establishment with an outside lounging area, inside bar, and restaurant.  Adi cooks tappas to pair with his wine and has a variety of cheeses to enjoy while tasting his Cabernet Sauvignon 2007.  Adi currently makes 3,500 bottles of wine, but his goal is to reach 25,000 bottles one day.  For the 2010 harvest, he has Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

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I always know when I love a wine because I want to smell it and wish it was a candle that will burn for a long time in my home. I felt that with Adi's wine. I just wanted to smell its fruity aromas and big body. The 2007 CS is oaked for 18 months in French barrels. 

A few times a month, Adi opens up his winery to the public for a jazz, wine and tappas evening! Join us in November when we set up a night to visit Agmon Winery! 


Contact Adi at yekevagmon@gmail.com
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Noam's Crew two day wine tour adventure

10/05/2010

 
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During Sukkot, I received a call from Adena Mark of Adena Mark Israel Concierge Services to set up a tour for Noam and his crew of 4 people to Carmel Region and Galilee Region.

I coordinated their kosher wine tour to Tishbi Estate Winery and Carmel Winery in the Zichron Yaakov area.  I created the itinerary for them and called the wineries to set up their tours.  It was a very busy time for the wineries since it was a major holiday in Israel and the wineries were packed!  They had a great time touring Tishbi Winery and sitting under the natural sukkah.

At Carmel Winery Valerie gave them a tasting in the visitors center and they got a self-guided tour of the old barrel room which now houses barrels of brandy.


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The next day they traveled from Haifa to Dalton Winery where they got a private tour by the winemaker and they got to meet the CEO of Dalton winery.  They had a blast at Dalton Winery and it was by far their favorite winery of the experience.

Their last wine experience was across the parking lot to Adir Winery where they received a tasting from Tzvi.

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As Noam commented to me via email "Overall trip was amazing, well worth the price, and considering we booked last minute, very much appreciated."
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Contact Adena Marks at Adena Mark Israel Concierge Services  at adenalmark@gmail.com or 050-902-1234