Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. Noa spent 245 days in captivity, and Avinatan was held for 738 days. They were finally reunited on October 13, 2025,.
Today, we lift a glass of Merlot/Argaman in their honor — to freedom reclaimed, to love that endured, and to the hope of peace for all of Israel.
Tasting Notes
Color: purple/crimson
Aroma: fruit-forward with a hint of spice
Taste: raspberry, blackberry, plum, light tannins, moderate acidity
Body: medium, smooth, well balanced
Finish: silky, velvety
About the Wine
Argaman, a unique varietal native to Israel, is the sabra of the wine world—tough, vibrant, and distinctly local. It was developed in 1972 by Roy Spiegel at the Volcani Institute, part of the Agricultural Research Center at Hebrew University. The goal? To create a grape that could add rich color and bold flavor to Israeli wines.
The name Argaman means “purple” in Hebrew—a nod to the grape’s deep hue. It’s a cross between Portuguese Souza and Spanish Carignan, and it’s grown exclusively in Israel. You’ll find it thriving in the coastal regions, the Judean plains and foothills, and the Galilee.
Argaman is bottled both as a single varietal and in blends, often paired with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Notably, renowned winemaker Avi Feldstein pioneered a method of fermenting Argaman grapes on Merlot skins, enhancing the wine’s tannins, aroma, and complexity.
This week’s featured winery, Barkan, was the first of the large commercial producers to craft a high-quality, single-varietal Argaman. Today, they offer both single and blended versions.
Barkan Classic Merlot/Argaman is a smooth, approachable red blend with notes of red and black berries, a touch of spice, and refreshing natural acidity. It pairs beautifully with Israeli cuisine and is a perfect match for Celebrity Chef Jamie Geller’s Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Eggplant.
About the Winery
Barkan Winery began its journey in the early 1990s, taking its name from its first home at the Barkan Industrial Park. What was once a bankrupt spirits factory was given new life when two of its employees, Shmuel Boxer and Yair Lerner, decided to buy it and transform it into a winery — a bold move that marked the start of something remarkable.
A decade later, Barkan grew even stronger, acquiring Segal Winery in 2001, and by 2005 it became part of Tempo Beverages, Israel’s largest beverage producer and distributor.
Today, Barkan Winery thrives at Kibbutz Hulda in central Israel — a lush, rolling landscape often compared to Tuscany. From this scenic spot, Barkan produces about 15 million bottles of wine each year, with roughly a quarter exported to more than 45 countries around the world.
About the Winemaker
Oliver Fratty has been Barkan’s Chief Winemaker for just over two years, taking the reins from the highly respected Ido Lewinsohn. A graduate of French winemaking schools, Fratty honed his craft over 18 years at Teperberg Winery before joining Barkan. His expertise brings both refinement and fresh perspective to the wines.
Where to find it
We picked up this week’s wine at the Bottle King in East Windsor, NJ—but you don’t have to live nearby to enjoy it. You can order it online at KosherWine.com. Use [this special link] so your purchase supports Israel Wine Girl
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