Color: Pale straw yellow
Aroma: Bright citrus with hints of tropical fruit
Taste: Grapefruit, lemon, and lime with lively acidity
Body: Light to medium-bodied
Finish: Fresh, crisp, and lingering
About the Wine
This lovely white from Yatir is a blend of 94% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% French Colombard. It’s a combination that’s popular around the world for good reason—it produces wines that are crisp, citrusy, and full of refreshing acidity.
Sauvignon Blanc thrives in Israel and is actually the country’s second most popular white grape, right after Chardonnay. It’s known for its vibrant mix of tropical and citrus flavors—think passionfruit, lemon, green apple, melon, and even a touch of gooseberry. Grown in Israel’s higher-elevation regions, it naturally maintains its bright acidity, giving the wine that clean, refreshing finish we love.
French Colombard isn’t as bold or fruity as Sauvignon Blanc, but it adds subtle stone-fruit notes that balance things out. Even at just 6%, it softens Sauvignon Blanc’s zippy edge and adds a gentle layer of complexity.
The grapes come from vineyards in Ramat Arad (in the northeastern Negev Desert) and Mitzpe Ramon, also in the Negev. After fermentation, the wine ages for four months in a mix of amphorae and oak barrels. The amphorae—those ancient clay vessels now making a modern comeback—allow the wine to express its natural character and terroir, while the oak lends a touch of structure and roundness.
Yatir Darom White is wonderfully versatile—it pairs beautifully with chicken, turkey, or any cheesy dish. Try it with Celebrity Chef Jamie Geller’s Sheet Pan Pizza recipe—it’s quick, easy, and, as Jamie says, totally delish!
About the Winery
Yatir Winery sits just below the Judean Hills, on the edge of Israel’s Negev Desert, beside the Yatir Forest. The first trees were planted there in 1964 by the Jewish National Fund (JNF). Today, the forest covers about 8,000 acres and includes roughly 4 million trees.
Both the forest and the winery were named after the biblical city of Yatir, where Jews fled after the destruction of the Second Temple. They sustained themselves by growing grapes and olives until the area was taken over by the Ottomans.
As part of Israel’s Quality Wine Revolution, Yatir Winery was founded in 2000 as a joint venture between local farmers and Carmel Winery. Their mission was to bring to life David Ben-Gurion’s vision—to “make the desert bloom” once again, this time with vineyards.
The Darom (“South” in Hebrew) line highlights the exceptional quality of grapes grown in the Negev Desert. The red flower on the label is an Anemone, which blooms across the Negev in winter with striking red petals. The series includes three wines—Darom Red, Darom Rosé, and Darom White—each designed to deliver high quality at an accessible price.
The word Darom also carries deep meaning. On October 7th, the kibbutzim of Israel’s South were among those attacked by Hamas terrorists who murdered 1,163 innocent people and took 240 hostages. Many of those who lived there had moved south to help fulfill the dream of “making the desert bloom.”
Yatir began as a small boutique winery and now produces over 150,000 bottles annually—proof that vision and dedication can turn even desert soil into something truly extraordinary.
About the Winemaker
Yatir’s winemaker, Eran Goldwasser, trained and worked in Australia, a country known for its innovative approach to winemaking. Like Israel, Australia has a diverse terroir and climate, making Eran’s experience especially valuable. After returning home, he worked at Carmel Winery before joining Yatir, where he now oversees both the vineyards and winemaking.
Eran believes that great wines start in the vineyard. His focus is on cultivating grapes that express their unique terroir—allowing each bottle of Yatir wine to tell the story of the land it came from.
Where to find:
We picked up our bottle of Yatir Darom White 2023 at the Bottle King in East Windsor, NJ. It is available at other fine wine shops and can also be ordered online at KosherWine.com. Please use this [special link] to credit Israel Wine Girl with your purchase.
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