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Nestled in the heart of Israel's Sharon coastal plain, Vitkin Winery has been quietly revolutionizing Israeli winemaking for over two decades. Founded in 2001, Vitkin has championed Mediterranean grape varieties that thrive in Israel's unique terroir.

Chief winemaker Assaf Paz welcomes us into his world with remarkable candor, sharing the extraordinary challenges of creating wine during wartime. Following October 7th, 2023, the entire Israeli wine industry faced unprecedented difficulties – from labor shortages as workers joined military reserves to the physical dangers of tending vineyards within rocket range of hostile borders. Despite these obstacles, the 2024 vintage yielded what Paz describes as some of Vitkin's most outstanding white and rosé wines ever, albeit at dramatically reduced yields.

The conversation takes us deep into Paz's winemaking philosophy, shaped by his unusual journey from pastry chef to internationally trained winemaker. He articulates a vision of wine as "the meeting point of science and art" and "a marriage between God and man," where the winemaker must honor what nature provides while applying technical expertise to reveal a vineyard's full potential. Paz's evolution toward creating more elegant, approachable wines without sacrificing intensity or aging potential offers fascinating insights for wine lovers interested in the craft behind their glass.

Perhaps most compelling is Vitkin's role as what the late wine critic Daniel Rogov called "Mediterranean prophets" – pioneers who recognized early that Israel's true wine identity lies not in imitating Bordeaux or Burgundy, but in embracing varieties perfectly adapted to its Mediterranean climate. This approach has been vindicated particularly in challenging hot vintages like 2010 and 2012, when Mediterranean varieties thrived while international grapes struggled.

Pour yourself a glass of something interesting and join this journey into Israeli winemaking that goes far beyond the bottle to explore questions of identity, resilience, and authentic expression of place.

For More Information

Assaf Paz Winemaker

Vitkin Winery

Address: Turtle Bridge
Alexander stream , Kfar Vitkin
waze: ״Vitkin Winery״
Tel: +972-9-8663505
Fax: +972-98664179

WhatsApp: +972-54-4866355
Email: info@vitkin-winery.co.il

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Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir

Journey to the edge of the Judean Desert, where breathtaking vistas meet ancient biblical lands at Gilad Winery. Perched dramatically above steep drops into the Jordan Valley, this boutique gem has become a beacon for kosher Mediterranean-style wines under the passionate stewardship of Chaim Sackton.

As we sit surrounded by barrels in his intimate winery, Chaim shares the story of Gilad's inception—how a morning coffee overlooking the distant Gilad Mountains inspired not just the winery's name, but his entire approach to winemaking. Each wine series carries biblical names from this historic region, creating a direct connection between ancient tradition and modern craftsmanship.

What sets Gilad apart is Chaim's unwavering commitment to lighter, more approachable wines. While many Israeli wineries chase bold, high-alcohol profiles, he deliberately crafts wines with restrained extraction and elegant fruit expression. His GSM blend exemplifies this philosophy—a wine so versatile it pairs beautifully with everything from steak to chocolate chip cookies. As Chaim explains, "I prefer drinking light wines with food than full-bodied wines" because they allow both the wine and the food to express themselves fully.

Perhaps most fascinating is the story behind Heritage, Gilad's flagship wine. After aging in new oak for 24 months, Chaim felt the wine hadn't reached its potential—the wood overpowered the fruit. Rather than compromise, he aged it an additional 24 months in the bottle until it transformed into something truly special. This patience and commitment to quality over expediency defines everything about Gilad Winery.

From his current production of 20,000 bottles to plans for expanding to 50,000 and adding a visitor center, Chaim's vision continues to evolve. If you're seeking authentic kosher wines that celebrate Israel's unique terroir while remaining remarkably drinkable, seek out these limited-production treasures from Gilad Winery. Your palate will thank you.

For more information:

Chaim Sackton: Winemaker, Owner

Address: סנה, Geva Binyamin

Email: giladwinery17@gmail.com

Phone: +972 52-555-6833

WhatsApp Business: +972525556833

Support the show

www.TheKosherTerroir.com
+972-58-731-1567
+1212-999-4444
TheKosherTerroir@gmail.com
Link to Join “The Kosher Terroir” WhatsApp Chat
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EHmgm2u5lQW9VMzhnoM7C9
Thursdays 6:30pm Eastern Time on the NSN Network and the NSN App

Send a Text Message to The Kosher Terroir

The world of kosher wine has embraced transformative approaches to viticulture that honor both ancient traditions and forward-thinking environmentalism. Sustainability isn't just a marketing term—it's a comprehensive philosophy that encompasses water conservation, solar energy, and holistic management, returning waste to the soil as nourishment. These practices create closed-loop systems where nothing is wasted and everything contributes to vineyard health.

Even more fascinating is biodynamics, which incorporates cosmic rhythms into agricultural science. Biodynamic winemakers plant and harvest according to lunar cycles, bury cow horns filled with manure underground through winter, and use specialized herb preparations to stimulate vineyard vitality. While these practices might sound magical, prestigious estates like Château Pontet-Canet in Bordeaux (which produces remarkable kosher wines) have abandoned tractors for horses and embraced these methods with stunning results—wines of greater vibrancy, complexity, and sense of place.

The next time you raise a glass of sustainable or biodynamic wine, pause to consider what you're truly experiencing. Beyond flavors and aromas lies an intricate story of stewardship, intention, and care—a wine that connects you to something larger than yourself. Subscribe to the Kosher Terroir podcast to continue discovering the hidden stories behind the wines you love.

Support the show

www.TheKosherTerroir.com
+972-58-731-1567
+1212-999-4444
TheKosherTerroir@gmail.com
Link to Join “The Kosher Terroir” WhatsApp Chat
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EHmgm2u5lQW9VMzhnoM7C9
Thursdays 6:30pm Eastern Time on the NSN Network and the NSN App