A Wine of Remembrance
There are wines we drink because we enjoy them.
There are wines we drink because they remind us of a special place or a special moment.
And then some wines tell a story.
RAZ is one of those wines.
Raz Mizrahi was born in 2001 and grew up in Gedera, Israel. She was someone who loved life—her family, her friends, music, dancing, and, of course, wine.
She also had a remarkable strength.
Raz served in Israel’s Border Police and was seriously injured when a terrorist rammed a vehicle into her car, pinning her underneath until help arrived. After four months of intensive rehabilitation, Raz returned to service.
After leaving the military, she volunteered with Belev Echad, an organization that had helped her during her own recovery. This time, she was helping wounded soldiers recover, just as others had helped her.
On October 7, 2023, Raz attended the Nova music festival with friends.
When the attack began, she and her friends sought shelter near Kibbutz Be’eri. Raz and her close friend Kim Dukarker were among those who were killed in the shelter.
Raz was just 21 years old. She would have celebrated her 22nd birthday on October 30.
Those who knew Raz remember much more than the way she died.
They remember her laughter. Her energy. Her love of life. Her family and friends. Her determination. Her ability to overcome adversity.
And they remember her love of wine.
Wine and Remembrance
How do we remember someone we have lost?
Sometimes it is through a photograph.
Sometimes through a song, a story, a charity, or an annual gathering of friends.
And sometimes, remarkably, through a bottle of wine.
Wine in Remembrance, created by David Peri of Wine & Friends, began after the 2006 Lebanon War as a way of honoring those who had been lost. Following October 7, the project took on new meaning, with wines created to remember individuals who were killed.
Each bottle carries a name and a story.
And there is something especially meaningful about remembering someone through wine. The grapes come from the earth, and from those grapes comes a wine that can be shared with family and friends.
The project also helps support Israeli wineries, many of which have faced tremendous challenges since October 7. Each person remembered is connected to an Israeli winery that grows the grapes and produces the wine. Family members are involved in designing the label, which includes photographs and tells the story of their loved one.
Peri has said that he wants people to drink these wines with joy, not sadness.
I think that is a beautiful way to remember Raz.
🍷 About the Wine
The RAZ wine in my glass is a 2023 red blend produced by Gush Etzion Winery.
This beautifully structured blend brings together 34% Petit Verdot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot, 10% Mourvèdre, and 7% Grenache.
After fermentation, the wine was barrel-aged for seven months, allowing the different varieties to come together while developing additional depth and complexity.
The result is a wine with rich fruit, structure, and spice—substantial enough to accompany a meal, but approachable enough to enjoy while sharing a glass with friends.
🍷 Tasting Notes
Color: Deep ruby-garnet
Aroma: Ripe plum, cassis, and green pepper
Taste: Rich blackberry and plum with a hint of baking spice
Body: Medium to full-bodied
Finish: Elegant and well-balanced, with a lingering taste of rich fruit and spice
🍇 About the Winery
Gush Etzion Winery was founded by Shraga and Tamar Rosenberg in 2005. What began as a tiny home operation has grown into a commercial winery producing approximately 120,000 bottles annually.
Located in the Judean Hills, the winery has become known for wines that reflect the character of the region. The surrounding landscape is also home to the famous Lone Oak, which has inspired the names of several of the winery’s wines.
❤️ Final Sips: A Bottle That Remembers
I have tasted many wines during my years as a wine professional.
I have written about wines that surprised me, wines that taught me something, and wines that I simply wanted to share with friends.
RAZ is different.
Because when I look at this bottle, I don’t just see Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Mourvèdre and Grenache.
I see a young woman who loved life.
I see someone who survived a terrible injury, fought her way back, and then chose to help others who were struggling.
I see a daughter, a friend, and a young woman who loved wine.
And I am reminded that behind every bottle of wine is a story—sometimes a story of a place, sometimes a family, and sometimes a person whose life deserves to be remembered.
🛒 Where to Find It
If you’d like to purchase the wine, you can find it at KosherWine.com. Use code IWG5 for a discount.
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