 Diana and David's children and daughter-in-law did not know what to give to their parents for their 40th wedding anniversary, so they decided they would treat them to a wine tour with me since Diana and David love wine but do not know too much about Israeli wine.We started the day at Agur Winery where Diana and David enjoyed an authentic experience with Shuki, the winemaker. They tasted the Blanca 2010, Rosa 2009 and 2010, Kessem 2009 and the Special Reserve 2008. They love the Rosa 2010 and will enjoy it on a summer's day back in England.
 The next winery we visited was Ella Valley where Diance and David loved every wine more than the other. We tasted the Chardonnay 2009, Cabernet Franc 2008, Syrah 2007, RR 2004 and Moscato dessert wine. They will be enjoying Ella Valley wines for a while together remembering their great experience at Ella Valley.
 Since we had more time than expected we popped over to Tzora Winery where Shula gave us a tasting of Shoresh white 2009, Judaen Hills 2009, Givat HaChalukin 2008, Shoresh 2008 and specially the Misty Hills 2007. Diana and David also saw vines that are 25 years old and I explained to them the importance of the terrior, low yield and how quality grapes make quality wine.
 We ended the day at Tzuba Winery, at this point Diana and David were very happy! We tasted the Chardonnay from the vat since Tzuba ran out of the 2009 Chardonnay. We also tried the newly bottled blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. We finished the tasting with the Merlot 2009 and Metsuda 2007. Diana and David learned a lot about the art and science of wine making and I broke down some of the mystery of wine although there is always a mystery to wine, even for the pros.
 The Stowe family of Leeds, England enjoyed a day visiting three Jerusalem Wineries: Domaine du Castel, Tzora and Agur. They love wine, food and Israel so it was just natural to take a wine tour during their Passover visit.
We started the day at Domaine du Castel where we enjoyed a tasting of the C 2009, Petit Castel 2009 and Grand Vin 2008, which was Grahame’s favorite of the day. The Stowe family is a big fan of Castel wines and really loved seeing where the founding family lives and where they produce the delicious wine.
Our next winery was Tzora winery where Uri, the manager, gave us a tasting of the Shoresh white 2010, Judean Hills 2009, Shoresh red 2008, Misty Hills 2007 and the Or (ice wine) 2008. The Stowe family will be enjoying the Shoresh red and Misty Hills in their country home for many months or depending on how fast they drink it, a couple of weeks.
 The third winery we visited was Agur winery where Alon and Shuki entertained us with their wine, philosophy of life and laughs. We enjoyed a tasting of the Blanca 2009, Rosa 2009, Kessem 2009 and Special Reserve 2008. We sat with Shuki for an hour and talked about why he wanted to move to Agur and start a winery, his passion for wine and food from the age of 9 years old and his love for the Jerusalem Hills region. The day was fantastic and the Stowe family now has a lot of Israeli wine to enjoy when they go back to England.
 Jess and her crew came to Israel for a month to enjoy the local cuisine and wine. They are crew on a yacht and Jess is responsible to choose the wines that her boss enjoys with guests. We started the day at Domaine du Castel where we appreciated an intimate wine and cheese tasting. We tasted the C 2009, Petit Castel 2009 and Grand Vin 2008. The crew loved the intimate story of Eli Ben Zaken and how he started his family owned winery out of passion for good food and wine.
Our next stop was a pit stop at Tzuba Winery where we explored the ancient wine press, vineyards and tasted a wide variety of wines including the Chardonnay 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Shiraz 2008, Metzuda 2006 and Port wine.
 The third winery we visited was Tzora Winery where we drank the new Shoresh white 2009, Judean Hills 2008 and 2009, Givat Haluchim 2008 and Shoresh red 2008. Shula explained to us how Tzora names their wines after their vineyards which are located 5 kilometers away from the winery and they come from the highest quality grapes.
 The last winery we visited and had some great laughs was Agur Winery where we tasted the Blanca 2009 and 2010, which is not even released to the public yet, Rosa 2009, Kessem 2009 and Special Reserve 2008. Even though Shuki was not at the winery, Alon, the manager, entertained us. Jess’s crew loved their wine tour and now even more so appreciates Israeli wine.
 Cait is a wine enthusiast from New Orleans and as a part of her work trip to Israel, she wanted to experience the wineries and taste Israel! We started the day at Agur Winery where Cait, a historian and anthropologist by study, had an invigorating and philosophical conversation with Shuki as they tasted the Blanca 2010, Rosa 2009, Kessem 2009 and Special Reserve 2008. Cait agreed that the Special Reserve is a wine that her and her husband will enjoy with a special New Orleans bbq.
 The second winery we visited was Tzora Winery where Cait enjoyed a tasting with Shula, the manager of Tzora Winery. Shula explained to Cait the importance for Tzora to make wine that tasted of the terrior of the Judean Hills. We enjoyed a tasting of the newly released Shoresh white 2010 and Judean Hills 2009. We also tasted the Givat Hachaluchim 2008, Shoresh red 2008 and the special ice wine Or. At this point, lunch was a must so we enjoyed some Israeli Arab food in Abu Gosh.
 The third winery we visited was Tzuba Winery, where Cait enjoyed a personal explanation of Tzuba’s wines from Paul Dubb, the winemaker. We tasted the Chardonnay 2009, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Shiraz 2008, a new Chianti blend that Paul created that was just getting bottled that day, the Metsuda 2006, late harvest Chardonnay and Port style wine. Cait will enjoy the Port that she bought with some yummy cheese!
After the tasting at Tzuba, we explored the ancient wine press and vineyards. Cait enjoyed her last day in Israel and learned a lot about the quality wines coming out of Israel.
 For their granddaughter’s bat-mitzvah these grandparents enjoyed a day touring Israeli wineries in Bet Shemesh. They have traveled to Israel many times and visit their daughter in Bet Shemesh but they had no idea that this many wineries exist in Israel. During their wine tour I explained to them the developing wine industry, its challenges and advancements.
Our first winery visit was Agur Winery where we enjoyed a tasting with Alon, the manager of Agur Winery. We tasted the Blanca 2009, Rosa 2009, Kessem 2009 and Special Reserve 2008. The Rosa was enjoyed by people that thought they did not like Rosa but this one is oily, silky and fruity.
 Our second winery was Tzora Winery where we enjoyed a cheese pairing with Shoresh white (85% Gewürztraminer, 15% Chardonnay), Jerusalem Hills 2008, Givat Haluchim 2008, Shoresh red 2008. The bread was especially delicious today and everyone enjoyed the elegant atmosphere and wines of Tzora Winery.
 The third winery we visited was Tzuba Winery. First we visited the vineyards where I explained the terrior, high yield and low yield, and differences of how vineyards are planted. The group then tasted the Chardonnay 2009, Shiraz 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Metsuda 2006 and Chardonnay late harvest dessert wine. Tzuba was their favorite winery since Paul, the winemaker, really explained to the science of winemaking.
At the end of the day, the group learned a lot about the science and art of the wine industry in Israel and maybe will establish their own winery in Bet Shemesh one day!
 Lisa and Rick, enjoy wine on a weekly basis, and they know some Israeli brands but because they live on the West Coast of the US, they do not get much variety of Israeli wines. This is their third visit to Israel so they wanted to experience something different and taste the wines of the Jerusalem Hills.
We started the day at Tzuba Winery where we visited the ancient wine press and vineyards. I explained the terrior of the Jerusalem Hills and the importance of the vineyards to the outcome of the wine. We enjoyed a tasting with Paul, the winemaker of Tzuba Winery. We tasted the Chardonnay 2009, Merlot 2006, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, and Metsuda 2006.
 Our second winery was Tzora Winery. We tasted 3 different cheeses with the Shoresh white (85% Gewürztraminer, 15% Chardonnay), Jerusalem Hills 2008, Givat Haluchim 2008, Shoresh red 2007 and 2008. The Shoresh red was delicious and very smooth!
Our last winery was Agur Winery. We happen to stop by the winery while a wine connoisseur was visiting so we joined their tasting and received a barrel tasting and explanation from Shuki, which is always entertaining and philosophical. We drank Shuki’s Blanca 2009, Rosa 2009, Kessem 2009 and Special Reserve 2008. We ended the day with a delicious Arabic lunch in Abu Gosh.
 Connie and her friends, who are all teachers, enjoyed a wine tour in the Jerusalem Hills. They enjoyed the drinking, of course, but also learned a lot about the history of wine in Israel, the modern day trends and the art and science of wine making. We started the day at Agur Winery, where Shuki was in a great mood, and he explained his vineyards, philosophy of a winemaker and his Judaen style wine. We tasted the Blaca 2010, Rosa 2009, Kessem 2009 and Special Reserve 2008, which was a favorite of the group.
 The second winery we visited was Tzora winery, where paired cheese with wine and loved the bitter olive oil. Shula explained to us the history of Tzora Winery and we tasted the Shoresh White 2010 (blend of 85% Gewürztraminer, 15% Chardonnay) , Givat Hachalukim 2008, Judean Hills 2008, and Shoresh (red) 2008. Shula’s delightful personality and knowledgeable explanations gave the experience at Tzora an unforgettable one.
We then traveled to Abu Gosh and ate lunch at Caravan. We enjoyed kabab, chicken, salatim and fries. Baklava and Turkish coffee was a treat at the end.
 Our third winery visit was Tzuba Winery. Eitan gave us a tasting of the Chardonnay 2009, Shiraz 2008, Metsuda 2006 and Chardonnay Dessert wine. We received a treat of Port wine when Paul, the winemaker came up to visit the group.
A fun day was had by all and know each of the teachers can enjoy a glass of wine when they are grading papers!
 On Sunday, February 20th both Corinne and her family and Katie and her group were troopers on a true Winter wine tour which was rainy, chilly and windy, but we all enjoyed our time at the Jerusalem Hill Wineries drinking deep, rich, red wine. We started the day at Agur Winery where Alon, the manager, gave us a nice tasting of their Blanca 2009, Rosa 2009, Kessem 2009 and the 2008 Special Reserve. Shuki talked to us a bit about how happy he is that it is finally winter and the vines are receiving the necessary rain for a good 2011 harvest.
 Our second winery was Tzora Winery where we enjoyed a hearty tasting of cheese, bread, olive oil with a tasting of Tzora’s Shoresh white blend of Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer, Jerusalem Hills blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, Givat Haluchim which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and lastly the red Shoresh blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah.
 Before the rain started to pour down, we took a 5 minute explanation in the Tzuba Vineyards and explained the importance of low yield and high yield. We then visited the ancient wine press where I explained how they made wine 2100 years ago! Paul, the winemaker at Tzuba Winery, gave us an in depth explanation of Chardonnay 2009, Shiraz 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Metsuda 2006 and the hit of the afternoon was the late harvest Chardonnay dessert wine.
We ate a big lunch of kosher grilled meats and hummas at Moshiko in Mivaserette and then headed back to Tel Aviv. Everyone loved the Israeli wines, food, atmosphere of the wineries and they learned a lot about wine and the modern day trends in Israeli wine industry.
On Sunday, February 13th, David, Liz, Hannah and Tzvi enjoyed a wine tour to the Jerusalem Hill Wineries. We started our day at Katlav Winery where we met with Yossi, the winemaker and owner. Yossi explained to us his traditional methods of winemaking and his story on how he was tired of being in the workforce as an architect and winemaking began for him as a hobby that turned into an addiction. We tasted the Katlav Merlot 2007, Wadi Katlav 2007 (blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdo). We then received a barrel tasting of the Wadi Katlav 2009! At this point, I took a picture of the group with Yossi, but my camera was lost at some point in the day, so there are some pictures from Liz’s camera.
 Our second winery was Ella Valley Winery where we enjoyed a tasting with Inbar of their Merlot 2004, Syrah 2006, Chardonnay 2008, and Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. The group loved the quality and elegant wines of Ella Valley.
Our third winery was Tzora winery where we tasted Neve Ilan 2009 Chardonnay, Jerusalem Hills 2008, Givat Haluchim 2008 and Shoresh 2008. Shula, the manager, put out a very nice selection of cheeses, bread and olive oil.
David and Liz wanted to make a quick stop at Tzuba Winery to stock up since they loved the Metzuda 2007 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 so much. We had a nice meeting with Eiton and they restocked!
 We all enjoyed some meat, salatim, lafa and pita, and hummas at Moshiko Grill in Mivaserrette and on our way back to Tel Aviv, Liz was nostalgic for the Elvis Diner that she went to 20 years ago. It was an experience!
|
RSS Feed