EL AL | Atmosphere

See the Sights I Eat, Travel, Enjoy

The wine routes of the Carmel Wine production in Zikhron Yaakov took off when the Baron de Rothschild settled here in the late 19 th century. He planted vines and built a bottle factory, (though the factory never quite launched as intended, and later became the Mizgaga Museum of Archeology and Glass), but the vines grew and grew and wine production in this part of the world flourished and continues to do so to this day. Here are a few of the most notable wineries: Carmel Winery, Zikhron Yaakov: the first and biggest winery in Israel, founded by the Baron de Rothschild in 1892. A guided tour of the winery begins with a short film about its history, then there’s a tour of the fermentation tanks, the bottle hall and barrel cellar, and it ends with a tasting session around a huge “knights’ table”. There’s also a café-restaurant and a shop-cum-art gallery. carmelwines.co.il/en/visitors-center/ Tishbi Winery, Zikhron Yaakov: winemakers for five generations, the Tishbi family also produces brandy in the nearby distillery. They also import the exceptional Valrhona chocolate. The winery has a magnificent visitors’ center that offers a multisensorial

Vinyards in Judeah Hills I Photo: Ariela Aflalo

Tishbi Winery I Photo: Ariela Aflalo

Moa Winery, Moshav Tzofar I Photo: Tom Eldar

Adir Winery, Dalton Industrial Park: the visitors’ center screens documentaries about the winery’s foundation and the winemaking and cheesemaking

processes. Wine and cheese tasting sessions take place in the bar, and there’s a café and deli

with a lovely patio. adir-winery.com

The wine route of the Jezreel Valley

Twelve wineries were established in the Jezreel Valley in the past years and in 2021, they all decided to unite. In collaboration with the regional council, they launched an all-encompassing wine route experience which includes organizing workshops, guided tours, meet-ups and activities, as well as a yearly wine festival (this year it takes place on May 18 th ). Some of the most notable wineries in the region are: Sadot Winery in Moshav Sde Yaakov, Tulip Winery in Kfar Tikva, and HaYogev 8 Winery in Moshav HaYogev. emekyizrael.org.il

Hayogev 8 Winery I Photo: Gay Rachmian

Tulip Winery I Photo: Gil kovalchuk

18 ATMOSPHERE APRIL 2023