אל על | אטמוספירה

Last June, the Negev region was named an internationally recognized wine region, with its wineries obtaining their very own “appellation of origin” label. There are so many wonderful wineries to discover along the Negev Desert Wine Route that offer fascinating tours and tastings. We headed over for a weekend of discovery and intoxicating fun, and came back with plenty of recommendations / By Ariela Aflalo

Over the years, many archeological artifacts testifying to the production of wine as far back as 3,000 years ago, have been found across the Negev region. In recent decades, pioneer winemakers have succeeded in reviving the region’s winemaking culture, notwithstanding the arid desert climate. Today’s Negev wine route comprises more than 40 wineries, and it has received its very own “Negev Appellation of Origin” label, officially placing it on the international wine map. The “Israeli Napa Valley” The Negev winemaking renaissance began 20 years ago, with the planting of thousands of vines and the establishment of the region’s first wineries. This cultural revival is what led private philanthropic foundation, the Merage Foundation, dedicated to the economic and industrial development of the Negev, to start promoting the region as an agritourism destination, placing an emphasis on its nascent wine industry. The first step it took was to launch the Negev Winery Club, a platform designed to strengthen the region’s winemaker community and give Negev winemakers the

space and resources necessary to collaborate on the enhancement of the winery tour experience across the region. And indeed, the Negev wine route has gone from strength to strength, with local wineries becoming highly sought-after road trip stopping points, and locations for dates and meetups. “The recognition of the Negev as an international wine region is no less than a personal milestone in the fulfillment of my Zionist dream”, says Nicole Hod Stroh, Merage Foundation CEO, who led countless initiatives towards this latest mark of recognition. Originally from Colombia, Hod Stroh sees wine tourism as the most significant expression of modern-day Zionism. “The attribution of a “Negev appellation of origin” reinforces the region’s tourism potential, and thus its economy, by placing it on the global wine map, and recognizing it as an innovative, high-quality international wine region”, she adds. Log onto negevwine.co.il for additional details and information about the region’s wineries, vineyards, and attractions. Here below you’ll find our own Negev wine tour recommendations:

Carmey Avdat vineyards I Photo: Ariela Aflalo

21

ATMOSPHERE SEPTEMBER 2026