To make this Shabbat a Delight, please consider putting a bottle of Matar Cumulus on your table. A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Franc, all grown in the Golan Heights, and aged for 14 months in oak barrels, this is indeed a special wine. Described by Wine Spectator as “A Powerful Red”, it boosts the flavor of rich dark blackberry with the hint of Eucalyptus spice, most likely gained from local trees.
In 1967, Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria. It is believed this was in large part due to the heroic work of Israeli Spy Eli Cohen. Posing as a Syrian businessman, he recommended the planting of Eucalyptus trees at Syrian military bases to offer soldiers shade. During the 67′ war, the trees made it easy for IDF forces to spot Syrian outposts. Eli Cohen was captured by Syria and hung, but is remembered in Israel as a hero, and his legend lives on in the flavor imparted to the Matar Cumulus Wine.
The Matar Winery is part of Pelter Winery, which was founded in 2002 by two ex-military brothers, Tal and Nir Pelter. Tal studied winemaking in Australia, whose influence is apparent in their wines. The vines are located in some of Israel’s highest points, 1000 m above sea level, and benefit from the cold winters, dry summers. During peak growing season they have warm sunny days, but cold nights which is ideal for producing quality grapes.
Matar opened in 2012 as their boutique kosher line. The wineries are right next door to each other at the same location, Kibbutz Ein Zivan in the Northern Golan Heights. This wine has been named for the Cumulus Clouds, the puffy ones that appear on bright sunny days. It comes from the latin “to heap”, and plenty of flavor has been “heaped” into this wine.
The Pelter/Matar Wineries are struggling right now. As a result of rocket fire in Israel’s north, their workers have had to evacuate their homes, so they have almost no staff, and that is without counting all those called to serve. Also, many of their vineyards are located in what is the “war zone”, so they can’t even go there to check on the vines. In spite of these obstacles, they continue to come to work each day to produce wine, and feel that in some way, this is a small victory.
This week of Purim, we remember how Haman unsuccessfully tried to wipe out the Jews of Persia, and today Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon are trying to do the same. We will however prevail, for as our friends at Pelter/Matar have reminded us “each day that we carry on is a small victory”. The vines will grow and wines in the Holy Land will flourish.
This week, let’s help our friends, Tal and Nir Pelter, by putting their wine on your Shabbat table. Let’s remember what they do each day to make that bottle possible, and remember the sacrifice Eli Cohen made, all those years ago, to make growing grapes and producing Israeli wine in the Golan Heights a reality.
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.
Israel Wine Girl 
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