Gush Etzion Lone Oak Rose 2023

This past week. our staff at Israel Wine Girl was able to visit the Gush Etzion Winery in Israel, so for this Shabbat, we are featuring Gush Etzion Winery’s Lone Oak Rose 2023. For those who favor GSM wines (Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah) you are going to love this Rose! 

Presenting as a light pink color, characteristic of Roses from Southern France’s Provence region, it has a lovely fruity smell (peach, cherry, grapefruit) with a bit of basil; and on the palette is crisp, has good acidity and is well balanced. It received nice ratings on Vivino, and is noted for its light body, flavorful taste, and easy drinking both with and without food.

The grapes for this wine were grown in the Judean Mountains south of Jerusalem; in the same area that aqueducts carried water into the city 2,000 years ago. The altitude is about 900 meters above sea level and vines are planted facing west, where the sun is the strongest. The soil is a mixture of hard limestone with red-brown terra rosa. 

After harvest the grapes were left on the skins for just a few hours, accounting for its light color. Once the grapes were pressed, they fermented individually in stainless steel tanks until completely dry, then blended. The Grenache makes up the greater percentage of this wine.

The Gush Etzion Winery is located within the Gush Etzion Communities which are often symbolized by “The Lone Oak”, and the namesake for this wine. In the days before Israel was declared a state the area was the home to several kibbutzim. Due to its location, it was frequently attacked by guerilla fighters, and just three days before statehood the defenders were overtaken. Everyone on the premises (127 people) was slaughtered, and the property destroyed. 

The Lone Oak is the 700 year old tree that sat at the crossroad to the communities. It was one of the few things that survived the devastation and came to symbolize all that was lost.  After the war in 67’, Israel recovered the land and the area revitalized. Today, Gush Etzion is home to 22 communities with over 70,000 people.  The Lone Oak still stands, but no longer alone. 

This Shabbat, let’s remember the fallen, and those still serving, so that the people of Israel can live safely in their homes and communities by putting the Gush Etzion Lone Oak Rose on your table. It 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.