Israeli Wines
When considering fine wines, many overlook the rich Israeli wine and kosher wine that finely fills the Kiddush cups of the global Jewish community. Israel wine has become a fine commodity produced in Golan wineries producing kosher wine across northern Israel. In 2009 alone profits from Israeli wines reached over $22 million and as a testament to the quality of kosher wine and Israel wine, this figure is only expected to increase with time.
Israel wine is divided up into several regions where Israeli wine is produced. The most popular is Golan wine from the Galilee region. Though there has been some controversy about the marketing of this Golan wine because of Syria’s claim to the region, Golan wine has been and still is a contributor the market of worldwide kosher wine and Israel wine.
It was when Islamic leaders ruled that region that ancient grapevines that had long been producers of Israel wine were torn up and destroyed as it was forbidden to produce alcohol in the Islamic states. In order to make a comeback, Israel wine had to find new grapes to use for kosher wine. For this reason, Israeli wine grapes are mostly varieties of French grapes imported for business.
All Israeli wines found at World of Judaica are kosher wines for Passover and for everyday usage. Though there are many producers of Israel wine stretching from the Golan to the hills of Jerusalem to the sands of the Negev, the largest Israeli wine producers include brand names such as Carmel, Barkan, Golan Heightes, Efrat Winery, Binyamina Wine Cellar, Tishbi Winery, Segal Winery, and Dalton Winery.