Anyone who’s sipped a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc or a full-bodied Bordeaux knows that no two wines taste alike. Even wines made from the same type of grapes can differ tremendously in taste depending on when, where, and how they were grown. Of all the factors that influence how a glass of wine will hit one’s palate, perhaps the most important one is the terroir, or the environment in which the varietals are grown.
Regions like Napa Valley, France, Italy, and Spain have produced some of the world’s top wines, thanks to their temperate climates and unique geographic conditions that lend themselves to grape-growing. France is home to famous wine-making towns like Bordeaux and Champagne, while Spain boasts the world's largest vineyard acreage. But nearby in the Mediterranean, Israel is quickly building a reputation as a fast-growing, innovative supplier of high-quality wine.
The country’s sudden growth in popularity is due to several distinct factors: the land’s ties to thousand-year-old winemaking practices, indigenous grapes adapted to its unique climate, and innovative irrigation techniques that have changed how vintners grow and hydrate their grapes. But a major factor in the country’s elevation to the world stage of winemaking is the work of the Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA), an organization that represents over 40 wineries across the region’s numerous vineyards.
"I like to joke that our country has been making wine for 5,000 years, and now the world is beginning to realize that we’re one of the fastest growing wine regions," says Joshua Greenstein, Executive Vice President of IWPA. "A lot of prepping, practicing, and refining was necessary to get our wine to the caliber it’s achieved today."
The IWPA’s goal is to introduce the country’s unique wine to the US and abroad, overcoming the stereotype of Israeli wines as overly sweet ceremonial wines. Among the 40 wineries represented across the region, consumers can find high-quality wines that encompass a variety of flavors and price points. These include the elegant wines of the boutique Raziel Winery, the premium kosher wines of Shiloh Winery, and the French-inspired, Rhône-style wines of Netofa Winery.
These rich, varied, complex wines reflect a tapestry of soils, elevations, and microclimates, from the Judean Hills to the Negev Desert. The country’s indigenous varietals—including the vibrant Argaman, the floral Dabouki, and the crisp Marawi—thrive across the country’s diverse terroir, growing alongside international varietals like Syrah, Carignan, and Chardonnay. Whether it’s a boutique winery delivering small batches or one of the leading providers of wine in the nation, each of these wineries is united by the IWPA under a single mission: to elevate global recognition of their country’s winemaking capabilities.
One technique championed by the IWPA’s many wineries is drip irrigation, an innovative technique that allows the grower to adjust the flow per vine. This level of precision control gives vintners the ability to irrigate based on grape varieties and soil types, with technologies like IoT and AI generating data that further enhance irrigation. The use of drip irrigation also reduces water use in the country’s dry climate, boosting sustainability and limiting the spread of weeds and diseases caused by overwatering.
"The quality and rich tradition of the wines created in this historic land is finally starting to get the praise and recognition it deserves," says Joshua. "And there is an open invitation for all of us in America to come along for the journey."
The IWPA has grown exponentially since its inception, expanding from 18 wineries to over 40 in recent years. These wines can be found in restaurants and retail shops across the US, making it easy for anyone to try a bottle without flying halfway across the world. The country has also seen a recent influx of wine tourism. Many IWPA wineries host guided tastings and vineyard tours for curious tourists looking to explore the country’s historic vineyards.
Currently, the IWPA represents over 40 wineries, including:
- 1848 Winery
- Alexander Winery
- Barkan Winery
- Ben Ami Winery
- Ben Porat Winery
- Binyamina Winery
- Carmel Winery
- The Cave Winery
- Domaine du Castel
- Ella Valley
- Ephod Winery
- Feldstein Winery
- Flam Winery
- Pinto Winery
- Gros Winery
- Gush Etzion Winery
- Jezreel Valley Winery
- Kamisa Winery
- Lahat Winery
- Matar by Pelter
- Morad Winery
- Naveh by Château Golan
- Netofa Winery
- Odem Mountain Winery
- Or Haganuz Winery
- Psagot Winery
- Raziel Winery
- Segal Winery
- Shiloh Winery
- Stoudemire Wines
- Tabor Winery
- Teperberg Winery
- Tulip Winery
- Tura Winery
- Tzuba Winery
- Vitkin Winery
- Zion Winery
To experience the unique flavor of one of these rich wines firsthand, look for a bottle of red, white, or rosé from one of IWPA’s wineries in a nearby store.
This article was written in cooperation with Tom White