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Golan, a Jewish Wine Made For Christ's Birthday
Article Posted: Thursday August 30th
Article last updated on: Thursday August 30th
Galilee 2000
To commemorate the 2,000 th. anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, Golan Heights Winery, in the Holy Land has produced two thousand cases of
Galilee 2000.
This celebratory white wine was made in the region where Jesus was born. The same region as the birth of the vine, which at least 5,000 years before His birth started its world wide journey. This wine may be said to be truly ecumenical, it is made from grapes grown in the best Jewish vineyards on Israel's Golan Heights,particularly for Christians remember the birth of their founder. Golan Heights Winery was built in 1983 and is owned by four kibitzes and four moshavs. The vineyards are on the hills that rise up from the Sea of Galilee to the foot of Mount Hermon, Israel's highest mountain. The wine is made in the small town of Katzrinis by Victor Schoenfeld. Victor is a graduate of Davis College at the University of California, he thengained experience in France as well as California. Victor uses the latest stainless steel and the finest French oak to makes the excellent wines of the Golan Heights Winery. The delicious Galilee 2000 was made by Victor from Sauvignon Blanc (70%) and Semillon (30%). The wine is available in 1999, and will be in 2000 and 2001. Tasting note: bright straw colour, lovely aromatic nose, the palate is full of clean fruits andhas a very nice zingylength and finish. Stockistsinclude
Averys of Bristol
Selfridges
Amazing Grapes
Golan Heights Winery P.O. Box 183 Industrial Zone Katzrin 12900, Israel Telephone 972 6 696 2001fax 972 6 696 2220
Built in 1983 and owned by four kibbutzes and four moshavs. The vineyards are on the hills that rise up from the Sea of Galilee to the foot of Mount Hermon, Israel's highest mountain. The small town of Katzrinis where the wine is made. Using the latest stainless steel, the finest French oak Victor Schoenfeld makes his excellent wines. Victor is a graduate of Davis College at the University of California and then hegained experience in France as well as California. Today Golan Heights is best winery in Israel and certainly has won more medals in International competition than any other Isreali winery. The last total was twenty six gold medals alone in the last ten years plus four trophies. Many more than very good wineries in other countries.
It is worth noting that the Middle East was the cradle of wine making and the Land of Canaan was probably enjoying wine 2,000 years before the Greeks and Romans brought the vine to Europe. The Bible plus recent scientific and architectural research indicate that the mainstay of the Ancient Israelite economy was its wine industry. This reached its height under Roman rule which is also when it started its decline after the sack of the Temple of the Jews
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by the Romans. The final straw for the vine was the Arab conquest. The Moslems forbid the use of alcohol so they uprooted the remaining vineyards. There was a slight upturn in vinious events during the Crusades and then nothing until much later. By the 19th century winemaking had slowly begun again. The first recorded winery opened in the City of Jerusalem in 1848. These wines were mainly for religious purposes.
Then in the 1880's, the Jewish immigration brought an upsurge in farming and wine making. This was helped considerably by Baron Edmond de Rothschild who provided the finance and expertise. Not surprisingly the techniques were French and influenced by wine making in the South of France. The next jump ahead was in the 1970's with the influences of Californian wine, its new technology and knowledge. The beginning of the 1980's brought new vineyards to new areas including Golan Heights. The Golan Heights, Israel's premier wine region is characterised by the high altitude position of the vineyard (1,200 metres)with its cool breezes, volcanic soil and unique micro climate. With such a large commercial concern some of the grapes have to be harvested by machine as well as by hand
A tasting note: Yarden Chardonnay 1994, Straw coloured, the nose is of fruit and minerals , a complex palate fruit with hint of vanilla, honey, slight butter, not very long but a very nice complex finish.
Vineyard size:400 hectares (1,000 acres)
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Grapes Grown:Riesling,Gewurztraminer, Muscat Alexandria, Muscat Canelli, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon , Chardonnay. Red grapes include, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Annual Production:270,000 cases Founded: 1983. Visits:9 am to 4 pm Food: Mediterranean dishes. Restaurants:none, there are hotels in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee
Best recent vintages:1985, 1990, 1993, 1995, 199???????
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