As usual ahead of Rosh Hashanah, the wine section is dedicated to wines recommended for the holiday. As always, it’s an opportunity to support the local wine industry, which is still healing from the wounds of ongoing conflict.
I tasted many wines while preparing this review, from small and large wineries, at different price levels. Here are the recommended ones for Rosh Hashanah 5786. Shana Tova, and L’Chaim!
Up to NIS 100
Not a pretentious wine, but the combination of Barbera grapes (60%), Syrah (30%), and Grenache (10%) creates a fun blend suitable for a wide range of drinkers and offers excellent value for money. A very charming wine.
Barkan, Platinum, Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, NIS 80
A wine based on Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Alma Vineyard in Dalton, in which one of Israel’s largest wineries invested quite a bit and sells it without asking a fortune. Fruity, spiced, rich, elegant, expressive, and flawlessly made. A clear sales hit. Like its predecessor, it appeals to a wide range of tastes.
Carmel, Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, NIS 85
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from northern Golan Heights, aged 14 months in barrel and one year in the bottle. Full-bodied, fruity and spiced, round but not flattering, providing nearly insane value for NIS 85. One of the stars for value for money on this list.
Hayotzer, Lyrica, Barbera 2023, NIS 90
100% Barbera from a vineyard in Deir Rafat. 12 months in wood give this wine clear mass and pronounced fruit flavors. The style leans toward the New World, round and user-friendly, even for the less experienced. Well-made for its type and offers quite good value for money.
Domaine Seror, White Gold 2024, NIS 99
At Domaine Seror, terroir is taken seriously, the grape variety is respected, and they are commendably inclined toward Mediterranean winemaking. The current dry white is based on Chenin Blanc with Roussanne and Viognier, very aromatic, holding charming acidity, complex, gastronomic, and worthy. Ideal for a higher-end, Mediterranean-based meal.
NIS 100–120
Recanati marks the transition to a new winery with a festive wine released for Rosh Hashanah. Trilogy is a blend of Petit Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Syrah aged two years in barrel. Complex, precise, multi-layered, not expressive, and elegant. When the Rhône Valley met Australia, at a very fair price considering the quality.
Binyamina, Avnei Hahoshen, Barakat 2024, NIS 110
A dry white based on Sauvignon Blanc from Ben Zimra Vineyard in Upper Galilee. As expected from Binyamina, the fruity profile is very pronounced alongside herbal notes. Balanced acidity; overall, clearly leaning toward the New World and well-made for its type. Suitable for meals based on cheeses, quiches, and pastas.
Lahat, Garrigue Rosé 2024, NIS 120
During his career, winemaker Itai Lahat produced whites and reds at his boutique winery. This is his first rosé, and it was worth the wait. A true Southern French rosé with a light body, lovely restrained fruit, excellent acidity, and impressive dryness. A wonderful rosé with very high gastronomic potential. One of the best of its type released in Israel. Perfectly relevant for the holiday table while the weather is still warm.
Blends, Kakadu 2024, NIS 120
Winemaker Shiri Rosenthal Kuba trained internationally, worked in several leading Israeli wineries, and now runs her own winery dedicated entirely to blended wines. The current blend, Kakadu, is based on Sauvignon Blanc and French Colombard, with charm. Tropical and green, complex yet light, airy, with a mineral note. Truly a great wine!
NIS 129–189
Avi Feldstein was among the first to understand the importance of Mediterranean style in Israeli wines when everyone else was thinking Bordeaux. This worldview is evident in his winery’s wines. His 2022 Grenache is a true Mediterranean wine at its best. Lean body, excellent fruit that resists heaviness, abundant spices, a connection between earthiness and elegance, and that wonderful thing missing in so many reds here—the ability to enjoy it easily even on a warm summer day. Excellent Grenache!
Netofa, Tel Kasser Red 2023, NIS 130
70% Grenache and 30% Syrah from Lower Galilee at the foot of Mount Tabor. 13 months in oak barrels. Medium-full body, abundant fruit, Mediterranean orientation but expressive in a New World way. A middle ground between the two orientations. Well-made and pairs excellently with all types of meat dishes.
Vitkin, Grenache Blanc 2022, NIS 150
Grenache Blanc with a touch of Macabeo—two varieties almost unknown here. Very complex, fascinating, in my view one of the peaks of Israeli winemaking. For connoisseurs only. Must never be tasted cold. Currently fully closed. Slightly cooler than room temperature is best, also recommended after decanting for at least an hour. Dryness, minerality, power, and many nuances. International-level quality in its category. Can continue aging for many years.
Ben Haim, Hashmura, Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, NIS 189
Who said a big, broad, and abundant wine and didn’t get it? That’s why we have Ben Haim Winery in Ramat Hasharon. Full-bodied, intense in every way; rich, abundant, and expressive. A wine that competes with meat as the main course. Well-made for its field. Provides excellent value and more for money. For those who can afford it and love expressive wines alongside meat.