I have tried to visit Elvi a few times over the years – always combining it with work travel – but it has never worked out. Each time I was in Spain for work, the Cohen family was not available. So when in the course of planning this year’s trips with my friend David Raccah … Continue reading Elvi Wines Visit – December 2024
Grenache
Teperberg Winemakers and their Wines
It’s funny. I live in Beit Shemesh, which is about 35 minutes from Jerusalem and 45 minutes from Tel Aviv. By far the closest winery to me geographically is Teperberg – which is only a 6 minute drive (beating out Tzora, which is about 8 minutes away). But, I haven’t been there to taste wine … Continue reading Teperberg Winemakers and their Wines
Netofa February 2021 Visit
It is no secret that I have been having a hard time putting pen to paper - or fingers to keyboard - since this pandemic started. In fact, as it drags on and on, I find it harder and harder. Again – it’s not like I’m not drinking wine – I am. In fact, like … Continue reading Netofa February 2021 Visit
New Wines “by Teperberg Winery”
Teperberg has been on a journey of sorts over the last 15 years or so. Since Shiki Rauchberger took over in 2002, the winery has been transformed from a medium sized winery producing mediocre wines to one of Israel’s largest – producing professionally made wines through and through. In 2006 Olivier Fratty joined the team … Continue reading New Wines “by Teperberg Winery”
Netofa’s 2020 Lineup
I have refrained from visiting wineries over the last couple of months out of necessity. Guidelines during this crazy period of time simply prevented most wineries from receiving visitors in person. Many if not most wineries were forced to adapt to the changing times and embraced some kind of direct to consumer delivery model to … Continue reading Netofa’s 2020 Lineup
Ya’acov Oryah 2018 Releases
Before I start - a bit of a disclaimer - I consider Ya'acov Oryah a friend. That really does NOT impact what I think of his wines at all - but I think it's important to be up front about that when writing about wine and people expect objectivity. Now that that is out of … Continue reading Ya’acov Oryah 2018 Releases
2016 Jezreel Valley Nahalal
A friend of mine from back home (once a NY'er always a NY'er) flew in unexpectedly and surprised me with a visit. As I was truly unprepared, we decided to go out to eat at a restaurant I really can't recommend enough - Muzza BaHar. Great food, great service, great view all at reasonable prices. … Continue reading 2016 Jezreel Valley Nahalal
2016 Carmel 4 Vats
This being my first formal tasting note on the site, it's fitting that it is both an Israeli Wine and super Quality to Price Ratio (QPR) to boot. The 2016 Carmel 4 Vats is the third vintage of this wine and as always is made up of a blend of Marselan (from the Judean Hills), … Continue reading 2016 Carmel 4 Vats