Support our friends at the Jezreel Valley Winery by picking up Adumim. A blend of Syrah, Carignan, and Argamon, this wine earned 93 points from Wine Enthusiast. It can be found at major wine stores and online at jezreelwinery.store (Promo code: DRINKISRAEL)
The Jezreel Valley Winery is located in the Galilee, a region in the northern part of Israel. It is one of the best regions for growing quality grapes due to high altitude, cool breezes, and variance in temperatures.
While the most popular grape varietals in the area are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the goal of Jezreel is to produce wine that feels more distinctly “Israel”. It is for this reason they added Argamon, created in Israel during the 1970’s, and Carignan, which has been grown in Israel since the 1870’s, to their portfolio. To sip wines from the Jezreel Valley Winery is a true “Israel Experience”.
The story of Hanukkah has a connection to the land where the Jezreel Valley Winery is located. About the time of 200 BC the area of “Judea” (modern day Israel) , called such because it’s where Jews lived, came under the control of Antiochus IV, King of Syria. He wanted the Jews to give up their beliefs and worship Greek Gods. He invaded Jerusalem, massacring thousands of people and desecrating the 2nd Temple. A mass rebellion broke out against Antiochus led by a Jewish priest named Mattathias and his sons. When Mattathias died, his son Judah took over at the helm. It took 2 years, but the Jews were successful at driving the enemy out of Jerusalem and redeeming the temple. They had to clean it up, which meant building a new altar and lighting the menorah. The “miracle” was that the oil for the menorah lasted “8 days”, when it was expected to last a single day, giving them enough time to make more oil. The word Hanukkah means “dedication” and thus they were able to rededicate the temple.
But that is not where the story actually ends. After reclaiming Jerusalem, Judah and his army moved north into the Galilee, the area where the Jezreel Valley Winery is located. The war would go on for several more years on land throughout the region. Just as winning the war took dedication for the Jews, so does the art of making wine.
This first night of Hanukkah, remember not just the miracle of Hanukkah, but the miracle of wine making in the Land of Israel, which has taken place for over 5,000 years.
Thank you friends at Jezreel Valley Winery for the work you do and we pray that peace will come soon to the vines and the people of Israel.
Happy Hanukkah!
Check out Kosher Wine Warehouse to purchase the wine online for 10% your order.
Israel Wine Girl 
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