Shiloh Rose

“To make this Shabbat a delight” consider the Rose from The Shiloh Winery.  The wine is a bright pink color and the label shows a person relaxing in a hammock, Just looking at the bottle serves as a reminder that spring is on the way. On the nose, it is aromatic with the essence of grapefruit and sweet strawberries . On the palette, it is fruity, but with a gentle tartness.

Located in the hills of Judea and Samaria, the city of Shiloh was the first capital of the Ancient Israelite kingdom. We know wine was produced in the region from the ancient wine presses found on their property.  Grapes were picked, crushed, then left to ferment in craters beneath the ground. Shiloh Winery still uses those craters to age barrels.

When we last featured wine from Shiloh, we knew their days after October 7th were a struggle, but we are beginning to learn how difficult. 

Winemaker Amichai Lourie’s son’s were immediately called to the reserves, and reported back to their parents “stay inside, stay armed, and whatever rumors you hear, know it’s actually worse”.  Days later, when they came out to resume the harvest, they realized no one was there to help. All the workers had been called to serve. Both permanent and temporary workers were all gone. They relied on volunteers to help, and most were in their 70’s. Additionally, they had to harvest grapes in fields where artillery cannons were booming, shaking the ground, vines, and tractors. 

Sales suffered immediately. The period after the Simchat Torah Festival (Oct. 7th) is sales season. It is a time of restocking for stores and restaurants. Not only were the salesmen drafted, but the stock needed diminished. The bulk of wine drinking customers in Israel are in the 22-45 age range, and most are serving. Hundreds of thousands of men not buying for weeks, and no end in sight.

A family wedding celebration was delayed as the groom, Amichai’s nephew, is in the Golani unit and called to serve. He immediately went in for 70 days/nights straight before a 48 hour break. He is back in, and who knows when the wedding will take place. 

On site, Shiloh had been working on a new building, with an improved production process and new visitor center, but everything has stopped. No workers, so the completion of the project waits. 

Despite everything, Shiloh’s winemaker, Amichai Lourie, continues to believe that making wine in Israel is truly a PRIVILEGE. This Shabbat, please consider putting this bright pink bottle, a symbol of spring, hope, and new beginnings, on your table.

I picked up mine through Kosher Wine Warehouse, free Shipping with a purchase of $99. Use the code ISRAELWINEGIRL for 10% off your entire purchase.