Gilgal 2023 Syrah

This week’s featured wine is the Gilgal 2023 Syrah from Golan Heights Winery. Produced from grapes grown in the Golan Heights and aged in French oak, this is a medium bodied wine ready for drinking now. On the nose it gives off notes of blackberry, boysenberry, and a bit of pepper; and on the palette is well balanced, rich in fruit, with a yummy spiciness on the back end. This will make a wonderful accompaniment to celebrity chef Jamie Geller’s Grilled Lamb.

“Gilgal” wines are considered premium quality, offering great QPR. The grapes are sourced in the Golan Heights and wine production is overseen by the Golan Heights head winemaker Victor Schoenfeld, the California transplant that moved to Israel in 1992 and changed the landscape of the entire industry. 

According to Schoenfled, the Golan Heights is a “winemaker’s paradise”. They enjoy a classic Mediterranean climate which is perfect for growing Syrah. The soil is volcanic and has high water holding capacity, allowing for the plant roots to dig themselves deep into the soil where the rich nutrients are located.  This brings rich structure and good minerality to the wine.

The Golan Heights is bordered by Syria to the east, Lebanon to the North, and Jordan to the South. Beginning Oct. 8th, 2023, on a daily basis,  Hezbollah has sent rockets from Lebanon into Northern Israel. Each rocket that falls into a vineyard causes substantial damage to the vines and its very expensive trellising systems.

Combine the cost of repair with the loss in revenue from having their visitor centers closed, and when open the crowds are greatly reduced,  and the winery is hurting.

Let’s not forget our friends at Golan Heights Winery this Shabbat and put their wine on your table. The Gilgal Syrah can be found on the shelves at Total Wine Stores. and also available online at Kosher Wine Direct.