Proof That Great Wine Can Come From the Desert
🍇 Tasting Notes
Color: Deep dark red with almost purple hues
Aroma: Intense floral notes layered with spice, dark chocolate, and ripe black fruit 🌸🍫
Taste: Rich and fruit-forward with ripe tannins and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and plum, balanced by a touch of jamminess and an earthy undertone 🍒🫐
Body: Medium to Full-bodied
Finish: Smooth, lingering, and leaves you wanting another sip 😋
🍷 About the Wine
The Pinto Wadi Shualim 2023 is a fascinating blend of 27% Grenache, 18% Merlot, 16% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah, 13% Petit Verdot, and 13% Malbec. It is an unconventional combination, but one intentionally crafted for success in the harsh desert climate of southern Israel 🌞🏜️
These grape varieties were selected because they thrive in hot, dry environments. Many are naturally drought-tolerant, heat-loving grapes with thicker skins that can withstand intense sun exposure while still developing concentration and character.
The grapes were grown in Pinto Winery’s Yeruham vineyard in the Negev Desert and harvested by hand. The result is a wine that feels both modern and rustic — fruit-forward and approachable, yet grounded with earthy notes and spice. While the wine is bold, it remains balanced and surprisingly easy to drink.
🏜️ About the Winery
Pinto Winery was established in 2020 in Yeruham, located in the heart of Israel’s Negev Desert. The vineyard sits in Wadi Shualim — “Valley of the Foxes” 🦊 — a rugged desert area chosen by the Pinto family because they believed in the region’s untapped winemaking potential.
That belief is not entirely new. Archaeological evidence suggests wine was produced in this region more than 3,000 years ago ⏳🍷 dating back to ancient desert trade routes and settlements.
At first glance, the desert seems like one of the most difficult places imaginable to grow grapes. The region receives roughly 320 days of sunshine annually and only about 80 mm of rainfall. Yet the Pinto family saw opportunity where others saw limitations.
While daytime temperatures can be brutally hot, desert evenings cool dramatically. These sharp temperature swings between day and night help the grapes mature slowly while preserving acidity and freshness.
The dry conditions also reduce rot and many vineyard pests, limiting the need for chemical intervention.
The harsh environment naturally produces grapes with concentration, spice, and structure. Pinto’s current wines are crafted to be enjoyed while young and vibrant rather than heavily aged. Their focus at this stage is producing expressive, approachable wines that showcase the unique desert terroir 🍷
👨🔬 About the Winemaker
Committed to making desert winemaking a true success, the Pinto family partnered with one of Israel’s most respected winemakers, Yaacov Oryah 🍾
Oryah is widely known for his creativity, expertise, and commitment to producing distinctive wines. In addition to his own acclaimed label, he has worked with several of Israel’s top wineries and has earned a reputation for pushing boundaries while maintaining exceptional quality.
His influence can clearly be felt in this wine, which manages to balance richness, drinkability, and character all at once 👏
🛒 Where to Find It
Pinto wines are available online through KosherWine.com 💻🍷
If ordering online, the discount code IWG5 will provide savings at checkout 💰
❤️ Why I Like This Wine
What I enjoy most about the Wadi Shualim 2023 is its versatility. It is rich enough to pair with grilled meats, barbecue, roasted vegetables, and hearty Shabbat meals 🍖🔥 yet smooth and approachable enough to enjoy on its own.
This is also simply a fun wine to talk about. Something is fascinating about quality wine being produced in the middle of the Negev Desert 🏜️🍇 in conditions most people would never associate with winemaking.
And while this wine may have been born in the desert, I would still recommend enjoying it somewhere a bit cooler — preferably outside on a sunny afternoon 😎☀️ just not in 100-degree desert heat!
Israel Wine Girl 
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