Matar Rose 2023

To continue our month of Roses, this Shabbat, please consider putting Matar Winery’s Rose 2023 on your table. A blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Counoise, this wine is fresh, crisp and has the aroma and taste of delicious summer raspberries with citrus notes of grapefruit and clementine.

Both the Grenache and Counoise were harvest from vineyards in the Upper Galilee. Known for its mountainous elevations, moderate rainfall, cool winds, and  limestone rich soil, the Upper Galilee produces some of Israel’s highest quality wines. Grenache berries have thin skins and ripen late in the growing season, as does the Counoise which is a blending wine. Both of these varietals require harvest in early to late October, the same time period as the Oct. 7th Hamas attack followed by the War in Gaza. Although almost impossible, our friends at the Pelter/Matar Winery, were able to harvest their grapes and produce this “2023 Rose”.   

As for how the 2024 vintage will work out, they are not sure. The Pelter/Matar Winery is located in the North Eastern part of the country, close to both the Syrian and Lebanese borders, and bombs have been falling on their property and in their vicinity for the past 10 months. The visitor center remains closed, and caring for vines is a struggle. Making wine is a hardship with a reduced staff and often having to evacuate. The situation does not sound good, but Gal Yaniv, Pelter’s CEO, remains optimistic and signs all correspondence “Praying for Better Days Soon”.

We here at Israel Wine Girl, join Gal in praying that better days are just over the horizon.

Make this coming Shabbat a Delight by enjoying the Matar Rose 2023. Think about all it took to produce this wine and toast to better days ahead . 

 Matar Rose 2023 is available at West Chester Wine Warehouse, Skyview Wines, and most of the online sites. 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.