SOUTHERN ISRAEL WINE TOUR

Wine Production History in the Negev Highlands

Duration Varies
750 US dollars
Tel Aviv-Yafo

Service Description

The origin of cultivation of grapes and production of wine in the Negev Highlands is shrouded in the mists of ancient times. Wines produced in the area were considered superior by people throughout the Roman and Byzantine World. These wines were transported throughout the whole the Roman World, from Scotland to Paris and Rome itself. On this tour you will drive along the Negev Wine route and will visit three local boutique wineries. Rota Wine Farm The wines produced here are made from top-quality grapes that come from organic vineyards. The vineyards are cared for entirely by human hands- no mechanical machines are used. The wines produced include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Muscat of Alexandria. The vineyard currently produces about 10,000 bottles annually. Carmey Avdat Farm The farm grows grapes for wine, conducts experiments in grape cultivation, and produces desert wines in the boutique winery. The vineyard is irrigated using a combination of ancient and modern irrigation methods. The winery's first releases were from the 2005 vintage were of 4,500 and has further grown to over 6,000 bottles. Sde Boker Winery This winery was established in 1999 in association with the Hebrew University's School of Agriculture in Rehovot to test the possibility of growing wine grapes with brackish water. Winemaker Zvi Remak, who hails from San Francisco, concentrates on making handcrafted, barrel-aged red wines from cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes. Wine tasting (3-4 wines at each winery) is not included.