Yarden Merlot

This week on the blog, we are featuring a lovely red from one of Israel’s most well known wineries, “Yarden Merlot”. Aged in French oak for 18 months, this wine is rich, full bodied, and flavorful. It has the characteristic red/blue color and tastes of blackberry, black cherry, plum. It also has a bit of orange peel and some herbaceousness to it. Wine purchased now is good to drink right away, or can be aged for up to 10 years from harvest (this is the year on the bottle, also referred to as “vintage”). The bottle we are featuring this Shabbat is from 2020.

The “2020 Harvest” was historic as it was the COVID year. That summer Israel experienced some of its hottest temperatures on record, but it was followed by one of the shortest harvests. These conditions produced high quality fruit and made-way for excellent wine production. 

Yarden is the American importer for wines from the Golan Heights Winery. The labels of wines produced at the Golan Heights Winery showcase an old fashioned oil lamp, signifying the connection between wine making in Modern Israel and the Ancient World; and the name Yarden comes from the Hebrew word for the Jordan River, which runs through the Galilee and serves as an agricultural lifeline to the region. 

Golan Heights Winery  was established in 1983, with a mission to make high quality wines. To help with this task, in 1990, Victor Schoenfeld was brought in from California as a consultant. One year later he became their head winemaker, which he still is today.  Schoenfeld is considered Israel’s most influential winemaker. He is a native Californian that worked at the Robert Mondavi Winery. His wines are crafted to reflect Israel’s unique terroir and climate. 

Golan Heights vineyards range in elevation from 1,200 to 4,000 feet, and sit on volcanic soil. This means they hold water well, allowing the grapevine’s roots to dig deep into the soil which produces rich wines. Their vineyards also enjoy cool breezes from the Mediterranean and warm sunny days. Schoenfeld has called the Golan Heights “a winemaker’s paradise”.

Make this coming Shabbat a Delight by enjoying a Merlot from the Golan Heights.  Yarden Wines are available at most wine stores and are showing availability online at Kosher Wine Direct.