Galilee in the north of Israel is an emerging wine area, rooted in ancient history. One hour's drive will take you from the Mediterranean coast to the Sea of Galilee, west to east. The road passes small historic and modern villages and towns, homes to people of at least five religions, including Nazareth. Mountains, hills, valleys, fields, vineyards, olive groves, rivers and forests. A fascinating mosaic of landscapes, cultures, food and warm hospitality. Welcome to Galilee! 

 

Location & Topography

Galilee is by topography into Lower Galilee and Upper Galilee. Galilee stretches coast to coast - from the Mediterranean to the Sea of Galilee, across most of of the northern part of Israel. Its diversified landscape is packed into a relatively small geographic area. Lower Galilee consists of soft hills at 450 meters altitude, and borders with Jezreel Valley on the south. Upper Galilee has impressive mountains above 1,200 meters and borders with Lebanon in the north. Galilee hills and mountains slope down almost 1,000 meters  into the Sea of Galilee at minus 200 meters below sea level.

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Climate & Soils

The climate is excellent for wine growing with cold winters (sometimes the temperatures can drop around zero Celsius), and dry warm sunny summers. The rainy season typically lasts from November to May, with misty mornings, occasional snow in the winter and many intervals of sunny days with blue sky.

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The soils are heavy, well-drained, a mixture of volcanic, gravel, and terra rosa, excellent for wine growing.  

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Rich History & Culture

Galilee has been continuously inhabited for the last 4,000 years. Positioned along the ancient trade route from Mesopotamia to Egypt, its fertile soils and sweet water rivers and pools, were a convenient stopover along the road, and attracted ancient tribes.

 

Many events described in the Bible (also known as "the Book of Books", "the Holy Book" and "the Old Testament"), actually took place in Galilee, and many places have kept their original ancient names.

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Galilee is important to several major religions. The towns and villages include of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, Samaritans and Baha'is, living side by side. Nazareth, one of the most important towns for Christianity, is located in the heart of Lower Galilee. The ancient part of Nazareth has a Middle Eastern character, and it is a unique experience to visit the ancient heart of the town in December, and see the beautifully decorated huge Christmas Tree, surrounded by Christmas decorations, standing in the middle a typical Middle Eastern town. 

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Culinary Experience

Food in Galilee reflects its rich history, culture and tradition. Based on local produce, seasonal naturally growing plants and wild herbs, it offers a unique culinary experience, a rich diversity of colors and flavors that remain in one's taste buds long after the table is cleared. Restaurants range from traditional home cooking in the family kitchen of dishes prepared according to recipes passed from mother to daughter for many generations, and modern Middle Eastern restaurants, to "fusion" restaurants where the chef creates a fascinating fusion of his culinary tradition he grew up on, combined with his own vision and style.

 

Yet, there are one thing common to Galilee food - full table with an abundant celebration of dishes and colors, all served with warm hospitality, demonstrating the unique "Galilee flavor" of fresh ingredients grown locally.

 

Galilee Wineries

There are relatively many wineries in Galilee, because its climate and rich soils attracted growers and producers since ancient times. There are large commercial well-established wineries, medium and small boutique wineries as well as small "family wineries". The medium/small and family wineries are often owned by first-generation wine producers, people who had left everything behind, and came to Galilee to make a dream come true. The wines are produced with a lot of passion and dedication. Indeed, some of the best wines in Israel are produced in Galilee. 

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Galilee Wines

Galilee does not yet have an appellation (although it's in process), and wine producers are not bound by regulations nor tradition. Interestingly, partly because many are following their dream and partly because of Israel's cultural "start up attitude" and "creative freedom", the wine producers often experiment with different varieties typically found in several wine areas of France, Italy, and Spain. This results in the production of very interesting wines (varietals and blends), that are often a reflection of the producer's life philosophy and personal preferences.

 

Galilee vineyards are like a voyage in the "old world" of wine, with "new world" sparks. Single varieties and blends are produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Barbera, Shiraz, Mourvedre, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay - as the main varieties.

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There are excellent red, rose, white, and sparkling wines.

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