Best kosher wines available only in Israel

[Harvey L]

I will be traveling shortly to Jerusalem for a trip lasting, sadly, only a few days. I'm eager to find, taste and buy a few wines that can't be found here in the US. I'd appreciate suggestions of must-have kosher wines. Bonus points if you recommend wine bars or restaurants where I can sample the wines and shops where I can buy them.

Many thanks

[David Raccah]

There are many lovely kosher wine stores in Jerusalem - including the one Wine Mill by Gabriel, a constant in this forum. There is also the only kosher wine bar in Israel at the Mamila Hotel - called the Mamilla Winery (more tongue than cheek):

http://kosherwinemusings.com/2012/07/20 ... jerusalem/

Finally, for a list of kosher wines to bring back - Yossie Horowitz, another constant here on the forum has a quite solid list:

http://www.yossiescorkboard.com/?page_id=959

Though some of these are now imported, and there are MANY more lovely wines that are available at Geller's Wine Mill that are not on this list as well. Gabriel can help with that

David

[Gabriel Geller]

Hi Harvey, and welcome on board!

Dave, many thanks for the recommendation!

Harvey: David is right, Yossie's list is very solid and we are most of the time on the same page. Yossie: your list needs indeed some adjustment upon Dave's remark but I'm quite sure you don't need my help with that.

Harvey, whether you want to buy wine at my shop or not feel always free to either PM or email me for any inquiry, I'll try to help you as much as I can. I'm known for carrying many of those hard-to-find-abroad wines and boutique wineries so I do have several options if you're looking for that especially. And to add icing on the cake, there's always a special discount for the forum's members!

Best and safe travels to all the forumites flying this week to Israel!

GG

[Harvey L]

David,

Thank you for the Winery review link. Looks like a must-go spot. I had seen Yossie's list but was hoping to narrow it down a bit, as there are too many!

Gabriel, thanks for your gracious offer. I hope to visit your shop and catch up first hand. Please PM me your email address.

[David Raccah]

Also Harvey read my posting on bringing back wine from Israel, or any location for that matter, to America.

http://kosherwinemusings.com/2011/04/06 ... s-customs/

David

[Elchonon Hellinger]

it depends how far off the beaten path you want to go.. ben porat and kinor david's legendary port are israel only..

[Elchonon Hellinger]

I will be traveling shortly to Jerusalem for a trip lasting, sadly, only a few days. I'm eager to find, taste and buy a few wines that can't be found here in the US. I'd appreciate suggestions of must-have kosher wines. Bonus points if you recommend wine bars or restaurants where I can sample the wines and shops where I can buy them.

Many thanks

Whats days are you there ? you can join us on our wine journey ? or i'll be camping out in gab's store quite a lot lol

[Yossie Horwitz]

As far as places to buy, I'd recommend Avi Ben or Gabriel's store (special discount at Avi Ben for being a reader of mine, special discount at Gabriel for being a forum member). My list is pretty up to date I believe (happy for suggestions/comments to update it/make it better). Picking out the most worthwhile is tough since it hinges on, among other things, price, personal preference and availability.

I'd suggest picking from among following (based on most interesting and substantial wines):
Bustan Syrah
Ella Valley Pinot Noir
Ramot Naftaly Barbera
Yaffo Carginan
Yatir Petit Verdot


If you like Port, the Domain Netofa and Adir are both quite good (and interesting)
For other dessert wines, the two Gat Shomron icewine style wines are delicious.

[Harvey L]

As I mentioned in my post on Katlav, my wife and I have just returned from an all-too-brief stay in Israel. Due to the situation in Gaza, we almost did not make the trip. Of course, I'm very glad we did as it is important to stand with our Israeli brethren at such times. In the end, no sirens were sounded in Jerusalem during our stay and we returned safe and sound.

We did have the pleasure of visiting the Wine Mill and meeting Gabriel and Chalom. They poured us two wines to sample but--please forgive me--I had neither pen nor paper and don't recall what we tasted. Hopefully, Gabriel can fill in the gaps. I can say they were both enjoyable and most welcome after a long day of walking around the city.

Based on Gabriel's recommendation I bought a bottle each of the Shokek CS and Weitzman PV. I have no TN yet but look forward to sharing them with good friends over a Shabbat meal. I had actually bought a second bottle of Shokek to bring as a gift to friends who had invited us for Shabbat lunch at their home in the German Colony. Sadly, I took a misstep walking up to their apt., whacked the wine against the stairway wall and zehu. On the bright side, the wine was in a gift bag and the shattered glass was contained. Yet another reason for me to make a return trip.

As we walked the city, I popped into various shops that carried wine just to check out their selections and prices. Interestingly, some wines (e.g. Castel's Grand Vin) were only a few dollars cheaper than what they sell for in Skyview, my local shop in NY. But there were definitely some values if you are willing to pay for overweight luggage at Ben Gurion(turns out I had to in any case) and shlep them home. I saw the Petite Castel in several places for about $30 a bottle. Also, the shop at BG is selling Yatir Forest for $65 but they are running a 3+1 sale, bringing the price down to less than $50 a bottle. A good value to be sure.

I didn't make it to Avi Ben or the Mamilla hotel's one bar but did get to visit the Katlav Winery.

[Yehoshua Werth]

Gush Etzion Petite Verdot... Not sure of the year I tasted a Barrel Sample last year WOW.. Find it

[Yossie Horwitz]

Not sure but I think you may be referring to the Kadesh Barnea 2009 PV we tasted at the Gush Etzion tasting last year...

[Yehoshua Werth]

Right Kadesh.... Confused.. That wine shocked me