7 Beautiful Israeli Winery Tours
June 11th 2018
Wine is a booming industry in Israel and winery tours are growing in popularity. While the vineyards may not be as large as those seen in France or Italy, the quality of wine and the Israeli winemaking process is every bit as excellent.
If you love tasting wine and want to view some stunningly beautiful vineyards, then taking part in an Israeli winery tour will be a perfect addition to your vacation in Israel.
Here are just 7 of our favorite Israeli winery tours you can enjoy when you’re here.
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Carmel Winery Tour
The Carmel Winery is located in Zichron Yaakov, roughly halfway between Haifa and Hadera. Founded in 1882, by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, it has grown to become one of Israel’s largest and most well-known wineries, producing more than 15 million bottles a year. The Carmel Wine & Culture Center includes a wine shop, wine tasting facilities, educational film screening rooms, and special tours showing you how the wine is made.
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Golan Heights Winery Tour
The Golan Heights Winery is another world renowned center of winemaking in Israel. The winery exports celebrated bottles to over 25 different countries under brands including Yarden and Hermon. The Golan Heights is famous for its winemaking and beautiful rolling hills, and you’ll see why when you visit. At their visitor’s center you’ll learn about their winemaking process, visit their oak barrel cellars, taste their delicious wines, and explore their vineyards.
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Tishbi Winery Tour
If you love both wine and chocolate, then the Tishbi Winery is for you. Also located in Zichron Yaacov, the winery was founded in the late 19th century and is still run by the same family. They have a love of chocolate, and it shows. The Visitors’ Center features a tasting center (for both wine and chocolate), a brandy distiller, and a tour of the winemaking process, and vineyards. You can also purchase honey, fruit preserves, olive oils, and a range of mouthwatering chocolates. There’s also a restaurant and beautiful ceramic art on display.
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Pelter Boutique Winery
The Pelter Winery is relatively new by Israeli standards but has already gained an international reputation for excellence. The winery, located in the northern Golan Heights, was founded in 2005 by Tal Pelter who was inspired after spending time studying winemaking in Australia. The Pelter family love hosting guests and you will get the chance to see their winemaking in action, taste their wines, and also take a tour of their beautiful vineyards.
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Rimonim Winery Tour
The Rimonim Winery is all about pomegranates. In fact, 100% of their delicious wine is made from pomegranates, with zero added sugar. This winery, in the Upper Galilee, specializes in making wine from pomegranates instead of grapes. Creating pomegranate wine requires distinctive equipment and methods, which visitors to the winery get to view. You’ll also learn about the religious significance of pomegranates in Judaism as well as their healing properties.
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Yatir Winery Tour
The Yatir Winery is located in Tel Arad, an archeologically important area situated on the road to the Dead Sea in the Negev Desert. The semi-arid climate is surprisingly ideal for winegrowing and this is something you’ll learn more about during your visit. The tours of the winery include views of the grape pit, the tank farm, the wine cellar, the bottling systems, and of course a wine tasting session. There are also options for further tours in the wider region.
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Gush Etzion Winery Tour
If you’re looking for a more hands-on winery experience, then the Gush Etzion Winery tour might be just what you’re looking for. During the grape harvest months of July, August and September, the winery offers a program called Harvesting at Dawn. The program allows both adults and children to pick grapes from the beautiful vineyards. You’ll also go on a tour of the winery, enjoy a meal at the restaurant, and sample their wines.
