Only Available in Israel


One of the greatest pleasures of travel is experiencing the local culinary treats. Despite plenty of traveling around the world for both business and pleasure, the gastronomical aspect of traveling is usually lost on those observing kosher. Israel is the only destination where total immersion in the local culinary scene is possible. As with food, the diversity and availability of kosher wine in Israel is the largest on the planet, proving most wine aficionados with real dilemmas as to how much stuff can they jettison in order to make room for wine before the rest of the family starts to suffer.

As the Israeli wine industry continues to expand at a breakneck pace, more and more Israeli wines are imported into the United States.  As a result, this list of wine that are only available in Israel continues to shrink dramatically.  The number of more expensive red wines continues to shrink while the number of white and rose wines that are not imported continues to grow (while delicious, it isn’t always “worth” it to schlep back these wines who typically have little aging potential.

At the request of many readers, I have put together a partial list of recommended wines available only in Israel and worthy of bringing back with you. As the dynamics of importing/exporting Israeli wines changes pretty rapidly, despite my best intentions of keeping this list as up to date as possible, it may be slightly inaccurate from time to time and I would appreciate any new input you may have in this regard. As always, please feel free to send me an email with any questions about the availability of any particular wine or winery.

This list includes both wineries not imported at all into the US and specific recommended wines of wineries that are imported.

List of Wineries / Wines available only in Israel

Adir
Adir, Blush Port, n.v

Avidan (kosher from the 2013 vintage)

Bat Shlomo

Ben Zimra

Dadah

Domaine Herzberg
The Malbec is of particular interest

Domaine Netofa
Domaine Netofa, Fine Ruby Port-Style, 2010
Domaine Netofa, Fine Ruby Port-Style, 2012
Domaine Netofa, Late Bottled Vintage, Port-Style, 2010

Ella Valley
Ella Valley Vineyards, Vineyards Choice, 32/35
Ella Valley Vineyards, Personal, 2008

Eyal (kosher from 2009 vintage)

Jezreel Valley
The Single Vineyard Carignan is of particular interest

Gat Shomron
The “ice wine” styled wine is of particular interest

Golan Heights Winery
Golan Heights Winery, Gamla HaShmura Series (Gamla, Reserve)
Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, Noble Semillon (Botrytis), 2007

Gros Winery

Gvaot
Gvaot, Masada, Pinot Noir, 2012
Gvaot, Gofna Reserve, Petit Verdot, 2013

Katlav

Katz (kosher from the 2008 vintage)

Kishor Winery
(the whites are more interesting than the reds)

Mia Luce
The old vine Carignan is terrific

Midbar (kosher from the 2014 vintage)

Katamon

Ramot Naftaly (kosher from 2009 vintage)
Ramot Naftaly, Barbera

Recanati
Recanati, Gris, Marsalan, 2014 (spectacular rose)
Recanati, Reserve, Chardonnay, 2013
Recanati, Special Edition, White (only at “Derech Hayayin” stores)
Recanati, Special Edition, Red (only at “Derech Hayayin” stores)

Shoham Winery

Tabor
Tabor, Adama, Riesling, 2014
Tabor, Adama, Rose, 2014

Trio (kosher from the 2010 vintage)
The old vine Carignan (Spirit of Alona) is of particular interest

Tulip (kosher from the 2010 vintage)
Tulip, Creation, DNA, 2011

Tzora
Shoresh, White, 2013 & 2014
Or, Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, 2012 (only at the winery)