Agur Kessem 2022

This Shabbat we are recommending you pick up a bottle (or two) of Agur Winery’s Kessem 2022. I was introduced to the wine this past Saturday Evening by Agur’s winemaker Eyal Drory, at a Hadassah event in Princeton, NJ. Eyal was visiting from Israel and it was so nice of him to pour for us. Having trained and worked in Italy, he is indeed very experienced and talented.  

Eyal shared 6 delicious wines from their portfolio, but the Kessem seemed to me the most versatile for Shabbat. It is a lighter red that can be enjoyed with appetizers, pasta, chicken, fish, and even some red meats. It can be opened Friday night for Kiddush, and further enjoyed at lunch or dinner on Saturday. The Kessem is a crowd pleaser; everyone finds something about it they enjoy. 

Specializing in blends, Eyal crafted this wine from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Syrah, and aged it for 6 months in French oak. The grapes were harvested from vineyards in the Judean Hills. This area benefits from cool damp winters, allowing the vines to rest, and warm/hot summers for the grapes to develop higher levels of sugar which produce richer wines. In the glass, the wine is a nice shade of ruby red; on the palette there is quite a bit of red berry taste (cherry and raspberry) with a touch of herbs.   

Agur  was founded in 1997 by Shuki Yashuv and operated as a small boutique winery until 2020, when partners Elad Katz, from Domaine du Castel, was brought in as CEO, and Eyal Drory as Winemaker. The team has been working to increase production, next year hoping to exceed 80,000 bottles, and increasing the vineyard’s size so that all grapes are homegrown; which they hope to do by 2026. 

Like the other wineries in Israel, this past year has been especially difficult. Between staff in and out of IDF service, few tourists, less celebrations, and the industry is struggling; but we can help.

Put the Agur Winery’s Kessem on your table this Shabbat, and make wines from Israel part of all your celebrations.Agur (and other Israeli wines) are available at the Princeton Corkscrew on Witherspoon and other fine shops. The wines can also be ordered online through Israel Wine Direct. Sign up for their mailing list to be alerted of special promotions.

IIsrael Wine Girl with Agur Winemaker Eyal Drory.