Happy Tu B’Shevat! 🌳🍷
The Jewish “New Year for Trees” begins at sunset on February 1st, and is a time to celebrate nature and its many gifts. In Israel, the day is traditionally marked by planting trees, enjoying fruits and nuts—and, of course, drinking wine.
Want to learn more about this special holiday? Watch Noa Tishby’s two-minute video. Nobody explains Israel quite like Noa—it’s a must-see.
Why I Love This Wine 💛🍷
- 🌱 It captures the spirit of Tu B’Shevat — a wine rooted in the land, sustainability, and respect for nature
- 🍋 Creamy yet fresh — beautiful balance between bright citrus and rich, lees-aged texture
- 🏔️ High-elevation Golan Heights fruit — giving elegance, structure, and a sense of place
- 🌸 Layered and expressive — citrus, pear, melon, and subtle floral notes that keep you coming back
- 🥂 Perfect for now or later — delicious today, with the ability to age gracefully for years
- 💚 Made with intention — crafted by a winery deeply committed to environmental responsibility
This is the kind of wine I love opening to mark a meaningful moment—easy to share, special without being fussy, and always a joy to pour. ✨
About the Wine
Produced from grapes grown in the Golan Heights at elevations of up to 3,900 feet above sea level, Yarden Chardonnay 2023 is a beautifully balanced, medium- to full-bodied wine. It was aged on the lees in oak barrels for seven months, meaning the sediment from fermentation was left in contact with the wine to enhance both texture and complexity—resulting in a lovely, creamy mouthfeel.
The wine opens with bright citrus notes, followed by pear and melon, and finishes with subtle floral nuances. It is delicious to drink now as part of your Tu B’Shevat celebration, yet has the structure to age gracefully for five to seven years from its 2023 harvest.
About the Winery
The Yarden portfolio is produced by Golan Heights Winery, one of Israel’s most environmentally conscious wineries. They were the first Israeli winery to receive LODI RULES certification, a rigorous sustainability accreditation that recognizes excellence in vineyard and winery practices.
LODI RULES began in 1992 as a farmer education program, then became a formal sustainability certification in 2005. In 2017, Golan Heights Winery and Galil Mountain Winery became the first wineries outside the United States to earn this distinction.
“We thought it was a great opportunity to join a high-quality existing program… our goal is to have Lodi Rules become the Israeli standard for vineyard sustainability.”
– Victor Schoenfeld
About the Winemaker
Victor Schoenfeld, head winemaker at Golan Heights Winery, is a native Californian and a graduate of UC Davis with a degree in Fermentation Science. His early experience included working at Robert Mondavi Winery, followed by a position at Château St. Jean in Glen Ellen, California.
In 1991, Schoenfeld was recruited by Golan Heights Winery for what was initially a three-year contract. Having visited Israel several times—including a gap year after high school—he decided to take a leap of faith. Whether by good fortune or divine intervention, he found his dream job. Given the freedom to innovate, he has created wines that are both expressive and enduring.
Schoenfeld’s wines honor tradition while showcasing Israel’s unique terroir and climate. Deeply committed to sustainability, he helped lead the winery to earn LODI RULES certification.
Thank you, Victor, for your dedication to Golan Heights Winery and to the environment. We raise a glass to you this Tu B’Shevat!
Where to Find
Yarden wines are available at many wine shops and online at kosherwine.com.
Don’t forget to use code IWG5 for 5% off—and to credit Israel Wine Girl with your purchase. 🍷🌱
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