Aroma: Rich notes of blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry
Taste: Fresh, ripe cherry and plum with hints of chocolate and a touch of vanilla
Body: Medium to full-bodied
Aging: 14 months in French and American oak barrels
🍷 About the Wine
Don’t let the “entry-level” label fool you—Sandro is a beautifully layered wine with complexity well beyond expectations. It opens with lush aromas of forest fruit and evolves into subtle notes of wood, tobacco, and vanilla, a result of its extended oak aging.
This is a classic Bordeaux-style blend, made from:
68% Cabernet Sauvignon
12% Merlot
10% Petit Verdot
6% Cabernet Franc
4% Sauvignon Blanc
All grapes are estate-grown on the scenic slopes of Mount Mitzpe Hayamim in the Upper Galilee. The wine is fragrant and fresh, with a delicate yet rich palate that enhances everything from simple dinners to special occasion meals.
🏡 About the Winery
Founded in 1996 by Yoram Shalom, Alexander Winery is nestled in Moshav Beit Yitzhak, just outside Netanya in the Hefer Valley. The winery is named for Yoram’s father, Alexander Shalom, who lovingly made wine at home—continuing a 120-year family tradition rooted in both Italy and North Africa.
What began with a few thousand bottles has grown into one of Israel’s top boutique wineries, producing about 60,000 bottles annually. The wines have earned accolades in Israel and abroad—not only for their exceptional quality but also for their distinctive and artful packaging.
💍 A Touch of Family Elegance
What truly sets Alexander Winery apart? The jewelry on every bottle.
Each label features a replica of handcrafted jewelry designed by Lisa Shalom, Yoram’s mother and Alexander’s wife. Coming from a long line of Tunisian goldsmiths, Lisa created rings, brooches, bracelets, and other intricate pieces—many of which now adorn the wine bottles, celebrating their Tunisian heritage.
The label on Sandro, our wine of the week, features a bracelet from the family’s personal collection.
✨ The only bottle without jewelry is the “Art Louvre” in the Alexander Series, which instead showcases the historic painting The Triumph of Alexander by Charles Le Brun, depicting Alexander the Great entering Babylon. The original hangs in The Louvre, and Alexander Winery proudly secured the rights to feature it on their label.
🍇 About the Winemaker
Yoram Shalom didn’t begin as a winemaker. He had a thriving career in Israeli television production, but everything changed in 1996 when his father was injured and couldn’t make wine. Yoram stepped in—and discovered a hidden talent and deep passion.
He left the TV world behind, immersed himself in winemaking courses, and became a student of the vine. Recognizing that great wine starts in the vineyard, he dedicated himself to understanding terroir and hired top vineyard managers to bring his vision to life.
All of the winery’s wines are named after family members:
Alexander the Great – the flagship Bordeaux series
Lisa – the elegant white wine line
Bruno – the port-style dessert wines
Sandro – this week’s featured wine, honoring Alexander’s nickname
🛒 Where to Find It
We picked up our bottle of Alexander Winery’s Sandro at Total Wine in Cherry Hill, where you’ll also find selections from the Reserve and Alexander the Great series.
Look in the Israel section—you can’t miss these bottles. The jeweled labels and portrait of Alexander make them stand out on the shelf.
Israel Wine Girl 
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