Color: Ruby
Aroma: Cherry, plum, herbs
Taste: Rich fruit and warm spice, with hints of vanilla from oak aging
Body: Medium-bodied
Finish: Smooth
About the Wine
The Hermon series from the Golan Heights Winery—distributed under the Yarden label—has consistently earned recognition, including a Best Buy designation from Wine Enthusiast and a Silver Medal at the Sommeliers Choice Awards. Named for Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the region, the series includes white, rosé, red, sweet wines, and this single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon.
This Cabernet displays vibrant notes of fresh red fruits such as cherry and raspberry, along with subtle herbal nuances. Crafted to be approachable and easy to drink, it is medium-bodied and pairs beautifully with a wide array of foods—from appetizers and Mediterranean dishes to a classic Shabbat dinner of brisket or roasted chicken.
The grapes for this wine are grown in the Galilee, Israel’s northernmost and most celebrated winegrowing region. Identified in the 1970s by UC Davis consultants as an ideal area for cultivating high-quality wine grapes, the region became the birthplace of Israel’s “Quality Revolution.”
Cabernet Sauvignon is the top-selling grape varietal both globally and in Israel. Its popularity stems from its rich flavor profile and its ability to develop complexity with age. While the Golan Heights Winery produces several Cabernets designed for long-term cellaring, the Hermon Cabernet is intended as an entry-level, youthful expression and is best enjoyed within three years of harvest.
About the Winery
The Golan Heights Winery opened its doors in 1983 with a mission to create world-class wines that could stand alongside those from France, Italy, and California. The region offers two essential ingredients for exceptional winemaking: outstanding terroir and an ideal climate.
The terroir features volcanic basalt soil rich in minerals—porous, well-draining, and perfectly suited for healthy vine growth. The high-altitude climate brings a mix of rain, snow, and warm sunshine, offering the vines the necessary “rest period” between growing seasons. This combination closely mirrors conditions in Bordeaux, one of the world’s premier wine regions.
With more than 1,500 acres of vineyards across the Golan Heights and Upper Galilee, the winery cultivates a wide range of grape varieties. These include familiar international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as lesser-known varieties like Nebbiolo and Touriga. Their labels include Hermon, Golan, Gamla, Gilgal, and Yarden, and their wines are exported to over 30 countries worldwide.
About the Winemaker
Victor Schoenfeld, the chief winemaker at Golan Heights Winery, is a California native who studied Fermentation Science at UC Davis and gained early experience at Robert Mondavi Winery.
In 1991, while working at Chateau St. Jean in Glen Ellen, California, Schoenfeld was recruited by the Golan Heights Winery for what was initially a three-year contract. Having spent time in Israel—including a post–high school gap year—he took the opportunity. Whether by good fortune or divine intervention, he found his professional home and has spent decades shaping the future of Israeli wine.
Like Robert Mondavi, Schoenfeld is a visionary. His winemaking is grounded in tradition yet deeply expressive of Israel’s unique terroir and climate. He championed sustainable practices and advanced technology long before they became industry standards. Though he leads a talented team, he remains hands-on in every stage of production, from the vineyard to the cellar—an attention to detail evident in every bottle.
Thank you, Victor, for your dedication to the Golan Heights Winery and to Israeli wine as a whole. We, the recipients of your work, are truly grateful.
Israel Wine Girl 
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