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of wine a year. Their pastry chef daughter Rimona manages the farm café, aptly named “Rimona”. The family also runs a 14-room B&B, and Hannah has an art studio where she displays her work. The Yizraels conduct winery tours and tastings throughout the year. Price: NIS 75 per person for a tour and a tasting, NIS 350 for a picnic basket. carmey-avdat.co.il Yatir Winery Tel Arad Yatir Winery is one of the biggest commercial wineries in Israel, producing 300,000 bottles a year. It is located in Yatir Forest, an area where wine production dates back to 2,500 years ago. Yatir Winery’s vineyards were planted in the 1980s along the remains of the ancient terraces inside the forest itself, where conditions are ideal for growing Merlot, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache and Chenin Blanc grapes. Inaugurated in 2000, the winery produces seven types of wine with an emphasis on reds. Here too, visitors can take part in tours of the winery, which also boasts an impressive display of ancient amphorae from Israel, Georgia, and Iran. After a visit to the winery, make sure you go for a drive along the spectacular Yatir Forest scenic route, which offers the most gorgeous views of the forests and vineyards. Price: NIS 90-130 per person for a tour and a tasting of three to five wines. negevwine.co.il/vineyard Pinto Winery Yeruham The first winery to be established in Yeruham, Pinto Winery opened its doors in 2020. The Pinto family, who are engaged in philanthropic activities across the region, planted their first vineyard in 2018, and have worked towards its expansion

Carmey Avdat farm - 14-room B&B I Photo: Ariela Aflalo

The Heritage Seeds Vineyard, Avdat National Park I Photo: Ariela Aflalo

The Heritage Seeds Vineyard Avdat National Park In ancient times, the Nabatean city of Avdat was a center of wine production. Dozens of winemaking artifacts have been uncovered here, including wine presses, cisterns, amphorae, and more, not to mention the gorgeous Byzantine churches, fortresses, etc., which all contribute to making Avdat, a national park and a World Heritage site, one of the most archeologically significant places in the world. The most recent archeological discovery here occurred a few years ago, when the remains of 1,500-year old grape seeds were found. The seeds, which include the heritage varieties of Dabouki, Sariki and Be’er,

were taken to a laboratory, genetically identified, germinated, returned to the site, and replanted, to compose a beautiful new “heritage vineyard” you can visit year-round. parks.org.il Carmey Avdat Farm Ramat Negev Hannah and Eyal Yizrael were one of the first three families to start growing vines and make wine in the Ramat Negev area. Their farm is located in the same spot where an ancient winery once stood, and they have made use of the ancient terraces and irrigation systems to develop their winery. They planted their first vineyard in 1998, and today they bottle over 10,000 bottles

22 ATMOSPHERE SEPTEMBER 2026