Some wines are delicious. Others transport you to a place.
Every time I pour a glass of Odem Mountain Winery’s Odem Forest, I find myself back in the Golan Heights—one of my favorite places on earth. 🇮🇱 The rolling vineyards, volcanic hills, cool mountain air, and towering eucalyptus trees create a landscape unlike anywhere else in Israel.
Whenever I look out at those eucalyptus trees, I can’t help but think of Israeli spy Eli Cohen. His courageous intelligence work before the Six-Day War is widely credited with providing Israel invaluable military information, including details that later helped Israeli forces reclaim the Golan Heights in 1967.
Whether standing among the vineyards or simply remembering the view from home, the Golan reminds me that this breathtaking region is not only one of Israel’s premier wine-growing areas—it is also a place whose history was shaped by extraordinary courage and sacrifice. 🇮🇱 💙🤍
🍷 Tasting Notes
Color: Red-purple
Aroma: Strawberry, blackberry, cinnamon, and spice
Taste: Cherry, raspberry, plum, with a subtle hint of sage
Body: Medium-bodied
Finish: Pleasant, beautifully balanced, and leaves you ready for another sip.
🍇 About the Wine
The Odem Forest is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Nebbiolo, and 20% Syrah, harvested from Har Odem’s vineyards in the Beka Valley of the northern Golan Heights.
The Golan’s combination of high elevation, cool climate, and mineral-rich basalt soil creates ideal growing conditions for premium wine grapes. The result is wines with concentrated flavors, refreshing acidity, and vibrant aromatics that beautifully express their unique terroir.
This is an easy wine to enjoy. It pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, fish, Mediterranean dishes, or my favorite—a beautiful mezza platter shared with family and friends on a lazy afternoon. 🍇 🧀🫒🥖🍷
A traditional mezza spread offers a little taste of everything: creamy hummus, tzatziki, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, fresh vegetables, olives, cheeses, and warm Israeli pita. The word mezze comes from Arabic and means sharing, which perfectly captures the spirit of gathering around good food, good wine, and even better company.
👨👩👧👦 About the Winery
Perched at 1,060 meters (3,478 feet) above sea level, Odem Mountain Winery is the highest winery in Israel. Located within the beautiful Odem Forest Reserve—the largest nature reserve in the Golan Heights—the winery is also near a memorial honoring the soldiers of the IDF’s 7th Armored Brigade who fell during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Founded in 2003 by Michael and Idit Alfasi and their four children, the winery was created as a true family business. Today, that vision continues with their son Adam serving as winemaker, their daughter Ya’ara overseeing marketing and exports, Ya’ara’s husband and brother, Yishai, caring for the vineyards, and their daughter, Efrat, creating the beautiful handcrafted pottery displayed throughout the visitor center.
From producing just 7,000 bottles during its first vintage, Odem Mountain now crafts more than 150,000 bottles annually. Its portfolio ranges from approachable everyday wines to premium selections in the acclaimed 1060 and Alfasi series, earning recognition as one of Israel’s outstanding boutique wineries.
🍇 About the Winemaker
After studying viticulture at Hebrew University, Adam Alfasi succeeded his father as head winemaker. In June 2025, he became the first Israeli winemaker invited to present his wines at James Suckling’s Great Wines World New York, one of the wine industry’s most prestigious international tasting events. Congratulations, Adam! 🎉
🛒 Where to Find It
I picked up my bottle at Super Buy Rite in Pennington, New Jersey.
Odem Mountain wines are also available at Total Wine stores and online through KosherWine.com. If you order from KosherWine.com, don’t forget to use my discount code IWG5.
❤️ Final Sip
Every bottle tells a story. This one tells the story of a family winery, an extraordinary wine region, and a land whose beauty and history are forever intertwined.
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