The wines of Golan Heights Winery

Golan Heights Winery was founded in 1983 by a group of visionary individuals, including the well-known Israeli winemaker Carmel Olmert and his colleagues. They decided to plant grapes in one of the most challenging regions in the world. Today they have grown into one of the most successful wineries in Israel.

The Golan Heights, a hilly area in the north of Israel, has long been a contested territory because of its strategic location. However, the climate and geology of this region form a perfect environment for winegrowing.

Some of the founders and staff of Golan Heights Winery come from kibbutzim in the Golan Heights region, giving them valuable experience and knowledge in agriculture and winegrowing. This background and experience played a role in successfully setting up the winery and cultivating grapes in this unique terroir.

The founders of Golan Heights Winery quickly realized that, with the right approach and investment, they had the potential to produce world-class wines in this terroir. They started planting vines with a focus on both international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, and indigenous varieties such as the very obscure Dabouki.

Their determination to make the best possible wines, combined with access to state-of-the-art winemaking equipment and technology, allowed them to quickly build a reputation.

At an altitude of 400 to 1,200 meters above sea level, the climate on the Golan Heights is characterized by cold winters and warm summers, with considerable temperature swings between day and night. These temperature swings promote slow ripening of the grapes, resulting in wines with excellent balance and complexity.

The volcanic soils of the Golan Heights are rich in minerals and have excellent drainage, which stresses the vines and makes them root deeply. This contributes to the concentration and depth of flavor in the wines.

In addition, the geographic location of the Golan Heights, at an altitude of 400 to 1,200 meters above sea level, has created a unique microclimate. The cooler temperatures at this altitude are favorable for slow grape ripening and preserve the grapes' natural acidity, which is essential for the freshness of the wines.

If you want to know more about this winery, here you will find the link to the website of Golan Heights Winery.