Grape gala

The sixth annual ‘In the Paths of Wine’ festival promotes vineyards throughout the country.

By MEITAL SHARABI
The sixth annual ‘In the Paths of Wine’ festival (photo credit: Courtesy)
The sixth annual ‘In the Paths of Wine’ festival
(photo credit: Courtesy)
May is the best time to travel the North and enjoy the intoxicating aromas that rise up out of the vineyards.
It is also perfect timing for the sixth annual “In the Paths of Wine” festival, opening this weekend. Sponsored by the Negev and Galilee Development Ministry, the festival will include guided tours for wine-lovers, as well as activities for families with young children who prefer to imbibe the atmosphere and explore among the beautiful blossoms.
The following is a small taste of the countless tours and activities offered during the festival.
Segway in the vineyards
Many people have gone on Segway tours in crowded areas of Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, but riding through Galilee vineyards is a new adventure for almost everyone.
Every day of the festival, exciting Segway tours will pass through the Alonei Abba vineyard and Beit Lehem Haglilit. At the end of the ride, participants will be invited to a guided wine tasting at Sadot Winery, which produces wine from grapes grown in family fields in Sde Ya’acov.
Price and details: (04) 689-9779
Festive forest outing
Amirim will be joining the wine festivities with free guided tours along forest trails around the moshav. On a few Saturdays during the festival at 10:30 a.m., tour guide Dubi Cardo will offer insightful explanations as he takes guests through the thicket. At the end of the walk, there will be entertainment by Ruth Solange and the Phantom Sounds.
To continue to a tasting, take a jaunt over to Dror Winery.
Dates: Amirim forest tours will take place on May 16, May 30 and June 6, leaving from Beit Ha’am.
Details: www.amirim-home.co.il
The four wineries
On Friday, May 22, Moshav Ramot Naftali will hold a joint event with its boutique winery, Amram Winery, as well as the 3 Vines, Ramot Naftali and Na’aman wineries – in a celebration in which visitors can hop from winery one to another (they’re all within walking distance) and taste all the new vintages, enjoy musical performances and sample cuisine of the Galilee.
Shuttles will be in operation between the four wineries during the festival.
Price: Entrance is free
Wine-soaked sojourn
On the weekend of May 22-23, take a guided tour of Mi’ilya, which will include a visit to the old town and the remains of an ancient fortress, and a wine- and arak-making workshop. The group will continue to the tobacco house for refreshments and a local folk dancing performance.
But that’s not all: In the Vintage House, there will be a sculpting workshop; in the Lucia House, visitors will be regaled with a number of interesting stories. The tour will finish up in the old city, with a musical performance next to the Byzantine well.
Price: Free, but pre-registration required Details: Elias Abu Aksa, 052-282-9963
Galilee wine festival
For the fifth consecutive year, the Israeli Wine Fair at the Baron Gardens in Rosh Pina will be the highlight of the festival. Thirty local wineries will offer dozens of different wines for tasting, and bands will keep visitors entertained from a pop-up stage, including Italo Gonzales and Sabor del Barrio, which specializes in Latin music.
Dates: Thursday, May 28, 6 to 11 p.m.; Friday, May 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Price: Entrance is free; glass of wine NIS 50
Eilabun like you’ve never seen before
On Saturday, May 30, a guided tour will leave from the ancient village of Eilabun in the Lower Galilee and pass through a number of churches of different Christian sects. When the tour reaches the central square, participants will learn about the village’s history, then move on to a lookout spot for a great view of the area. The tour ends at the old church in the village center, with a show, wine and arak workshops and food stalls.
Price: Free, but pre-registration required Details: Rizarko Sharush, 050-867-3181
Tulip Winery wears white
At the Tulip World White experience on Friday, May 22, guests will be invited to taste a variety of white wines from around the world. The outdoor event will include food stalls, comfortable places to sit and live music by Barak; the visitors’ center will also be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tulip Winery is located in Kfar Tikva, Kiryat Tivon.
Details: (04) 983-0573
Friday on the wine route
If you don’t shy away from a little vino in the morning, you’ll probably think the tasting at Adir is a great way to start your weekend. The winery, located in the Dalton Industrial Park, offers a unique Friday morning experience, including an authentic Galilee breakfast, a gorgeous view, and a tasting and explanation of each of Adir’s boutique wines.
Date: Friday, May 22, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Price: NIS 130 per couple, pre-registration required Details: (04) 699-1039.
Translated by Hannah Hochner.