This Shabbat we are featuring the Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Segal. Made with grapes from the Upper Galilee and aged in both American and French oak for 14 months, this is a lovely wine offered at a reasonable price. On the nose, it has a beautiful, rich aroma, and on the palette it has delicious fruit with rich and smooth tannins. This wine is ready for drinking now, or can be aged another few years.
Segal has been producing wine in Israel since 1954. In 2001, they were purchased by Barkan, so they operate as a “boutique” winery, within a larger winery, with the same Master of Wine, Ido Lewinsohn, as their winemaker. Along with his talented team, Ido is committed to producing wine as naturally as possible while also making them affordable.
Winemakers will often say, “the wine is made in the vineyard”, meaning they can only make wine as good as the quality of the grapes. Growing grapes however, is a very labor intensive process, requiring many workers and many hours. Due to rising costs, this has become a worldwide problem, but in Israel, as we have seen since Oct. 7th with vineyards located on border sites, and workers leaving for military service, the problem has been amplified.
It is said the future of the wine business lies in vine technology, and in this area, Israel has proven itself to be a world leader. One of its top wineries in this endeavor is Barkan. With over 2,500 acres of vineyards, on a variety of terroirs, the technology used for monitoring vines, planting, pruning, and harvest have allowed them to produce over 15 million bottles of wine even during this time of war.
Many shoppers have come to believe that less expensive priced wine means less quality, but this is not always the case world wide, and in Israel, this is definitely not the case. Wineries that can price their wines less expensively utilize more technology to assist with tasks.
Israel, known as the “Start-up Nation” is an amazing innovative country that has led the way in developing new methods of agriculture. They continue to have a pioneering spirit, and are always ready to try something new. Winemaker Victor Schoenfeld once said, “we are Israelis, if we need something, we go ahead and do it”.
Right now they need your support so they can continue this work. It is an ongoing effort to create and utilize more technology which will permit grapes to grow and be harvested even during war, and will keep workers as safe as possible.
The Segal Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon can be found at most wine shops and online at 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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