Jezreel Winery Alfa

This week on the blog, we are featuring the Award Winning “Alfa”, from the Jezreel Valley Winery. Earning “90 points” from Wine Enthusiast, this is a delicious Mediterranean blend of Syrah, Argaman, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It tastes of blackberry and black cherry, with some spice notes on the finish. There is also a hint of clove coming from the oak in which it was aged for 14 months. The Alfa presents as a full-bodied wine with soft tannins and a lingering finish.

The wine received its name to honor the remnants of the Beit Alpha Synagogue, built in the foothills of Mount Gilboa, within the Jezreel Valley, during the 6th Century. It was uncovered in 1928, by members of Kibbutz Beit Alpha, stumbling upon the synagogue’s mosaic floor while constructing an irrigation system.  Aramaic inscriptions indicate the synagogue was built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justin I (518-527 CE) and was funded by donations from the community. 

The Jezreel Valley Winery was established in 2012 by co-founder Jacob Ner David, whose goal was to make “Israeli Wine” that matched the climate, palate, and overall spirit of the country. Originally from Long Island, he moved to Israel as he wanted to be somewhere special, and became a wine maker because he felt strongly about the connection between “wine’ and the Jewish people. The most important Jewish events (birth of a child, wedding, Shabbat) all include wine, and he wanted to do something special with that

The Jezreel Valley, located a stone’s throw from the Lower Galilee,  was considered the “breadbasket” of the Ancient world. It was in this location where wine was made in biblical times, therefore an inspiring location for Ner David to make his home and establish his winery.  We are thankful to him for indeed doing something special – making delicious wines that can be enjoyed throughout the world.

Since Oct. 7th, our friends at Jezreel Winery have been actively engaged in support of their country. While many workers have been in and out of service for the IDF, those back at the winery are still working to tend grapes and produce wine. The visitor center is open as often as they are able and they were involved in a project providing soldiers with wine for Shabbat.

This Shabbat, let’s help them in the best way we can, by putting their wine on your table. I picked up the Alfa at Joe Canals in Lawrenceville, but it is also available at Total Wine stores, and online at Kosher Wine Direct.