Beyond Napa Valley: Israel Is Emerging As The Fastest-Growing Wine Region In The World
It’s been said that great wine begins in the vineyard. While grapes can grow in many kinds of environments, only a few regions have the unique blend of temperature, climate, elevation, and soil type to make a rich, complex bottle of wine. While Northern California (and nearby Napa Valley, in particular) is known as one of the best terroirs for growing high-quality varietals, there are a few other wine regions in the world worth exploring.
France is one of the top wine-producing regions in the world, frequently sparring with Italy to secure the overall top spot. Unlike many regional wines, French wine is named after the region, not the grapes that it uses. From Bordeaux to Champagne, France is dotted with vineyards that produce some of the world’s best wine.
Italy is another excellent wine region, with iconic wines such as Chianti Classico originating from Tuscany. Wine and food are intertwined in Italian culture, and its sun-soaked hills yield some of the finest varietals known to man. To the east is Spain, which boasts the largest vineyard acreage in the world. In La Rioja, the use of crianza aging delivers the kind of complex flavors and aromas absent from most younger wines.
While these regions have long held the top spots in the world’s production of high-quality wines, another nearby region is making a name for itself as the fastest-growing wine region in the world: Israel. It has all the hallmarks of growing high-quality wine: a diverse climate, rich soil, and a wine-producing history that stretches back millennia.
“I like to joke that Israel is a country that’s been making wine for 5,000 years, and now the world is beginning to realize that Israel is one of the fastest-growing wine regions,” says Josh Greenstein, Executive Vice President of the Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA). “A lot of prepping, practicing, and refining was necessary to get Israeli wine to the caliber it’s achieved today.”
The key to Israel’s ability to grow such complex, high-class wine is more than just its unique climate and the diversity of its indigenous varietals. It’s also its use of innovative irrigation techniques, particularly drip irrigation. Drip irrigation has revolutionized Israeli agriculture and has even become common practice in vineyards worldwide. With the use of slow, targeted watering delivered directly to the root zone of each plant, winemakers can adjust water flow down to the individual vine.
The benefits of drip irrigation are astronomical. First and foremost, it enables greater water efficiency, which is crucial in Israel’s dry climate. It further enhances sustainability by limiting weeds and diseases commonly associated with overwatering. But the benefits extend to the bottle as well, as the controlled stress from regulated water delivery improves the phenolic content and sugar concentration of the wine. Put simply, drip irrigation gives vintners the ability to coax the best taste out of every grape, resulting in the kind of high-class wines for which Israel is becoming known.
From boutique estates to the largest producers, Israel is home to numerous wineries that offer award-winning red, white, and rosé varietals. The unifying force behind them is the Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA), which represents more than 40 wineries across the country. The IWPA is responsible for promoting, educating, and introducing Israel’s high-class wines to the world stage. Its efforts have led to Israeli wines being featured in top restaurants, retail shops, and online outlets across the United States.
“Despite the challenges Israel has faced, the unique terrain and climate have enabled the production of exceptional wines,” says Greenstein. “Our mission is to inspire people to discover the wines of Israel—offering an unmatched journey for wine lovers everywhere.”
In the last few years, the IWPA has grown to over 40 wineries, including:
- 1848 Winery
- Alexander Winery
- Barkan Winery
- Ben Ami Winery
- BNNUN Winery
- Binyamina Winery
- Carmel Winery
- The Cave Winery
- Covenant Israel
- Domaine du Castel
- Ephod Winery
- Feldstein Winery
- Flam Winery
- Pinto Winery
- Gros Winery
- Gush Etzion Winery
- Jezreel Valley Winery
- Matar by Pelter
- Morad Winery
- Nadiv Winery
- Château Golan
- Netofa Winery
- Odem Mountain Winery
- Or Haganuz Winery
- Psagot Winery
- Raziel Winery
- Segal Winery
- Shamay Galilee Winery
- Shiloh Winery
- Stoudemire Wines
- Tabor Winery
- Teperberg Winery
- Tulip Winery
- Tura Winery
- Tzuba Winery
- Vitkin Winery
- Weiss Winery
- Yayin Winery
- Yali Winery
- Zion Winery
Outside of the wine country of nearby Napa Valley and global contenders like France, Italy, and Spain, Israel is quickly making a name for itself through its distinct blend of ancient heritage with modern innovation. Israeli wineries are inundated with wine tourists eager to explore their vineyards and taste their rich selection of wines.
If you’re interested in trying Israeli wines without flying halfway across the world, look for Israeli wines in your local restaurant or bottle shop. IWPA selections are available in all 50 states, so ask your retailer about Israeli wines or visit www.iwpa.com for online options. Follow @IsraeliWine on Instagram for the latest releases and events.