A Biblical Beginning, a Family Tradition

This past Shabbat, we read Parshat Noah, the biblical story that, in my opinion, offers one of the most fascinating connections to wine.

After the floodwaters receded and the ark came to rest in the mountains of Ararat, Noah began a new chapter. Genesis tells us that he became a man of the soil and planted a vineyard. It seems that even after surviving a flood that changed the world, Noah knew there was something worth putting into the ground—and eventually into a wineglass!

And for those who wonder whether wine’s ancient roots are more than biblical tradition, archaeology offers a fascinating connection. In present-day Georgia, in the South Caucasus, researchers have discovered chemical evidence of grape winemaking dating back approximately 8,000 years.

While this doesn’t establish where Noah planted his vineyard, it confirms that winemaking has very deep roots in this part of the world. Wine, it seems, has been part of the human story for millennia.

There is another story of survival and tradition behind Noah Merlot. The Murciano family traces its winemaking heritage to Fes, Morocco, where Jewish families produced kosher wine for their community. As Jewish families left Morocco amid growing pressures and uncertainty, traditions that had been nurtured for generations traveled with them. For families who made wine, the journey to Israel offered an opportunity to preserve that heritage and share it with a new generation of wine lovers.

Noah planted a vineyard to begin again. Generations later, the name Noah still brings to mind renewal, perseverance, and the promise of a new beginning.

What better name for a wine that connects an ancient biblical story with the enduring Jewish tradition of winemaking?

🍷 Tasting Notes

Color: A lovely ruby red.

Aroma: Red and black berries lead the way, accompanied by chocolate and an inviting hint of mocha.

On the Palate: Ripe, fruit-forward flavors make this Merlot approachable and easy to enjoy.

Body: Medium-bodied, offering enough substance to complement a meal without overwhelming the palate.

Finish: Soft, silky tannins lead into a long, dry finish.

🍷 About the Wine

Merlot is often associated with the Bordeaux region of France, where it plays an important role in some of the world’s best-known red blends. In Israel, the grape has found a home in several wine-growing regions, including the Judean Hills.

Here, the combination of warm Mediterranean sunshine, cooler nighttime temperatures at higher elevations, and varied limestone-rich soils can help grapes develop ripe fruit flavors while retaining freshness.

Many Israeli winemakers use Merlot to bring softness and balance to blends featuring Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties. A single-varietal Merlot, however, allows the grape to take center stage.

Noah Merlot offers an appealing expression of the variety, with ripe berry aromas, notes of chocolate and mocha, and gentle tannins. According to the information available for this wine, it receives three months of oak aging—a relatively brief period that can contribute a touch of added complexity without allowing oak to dominate the fruit.

This is the sort of red that can find a place at the Shabbat table, alongside a weeknight dinner, or whenever friends gather to share a meal and conversation.

🍷 About the Winery

The story associated with the Murciano family’s winemaking tradition begins in Fes, Morocco, where family members produced kosher wine for the local Jewish community. Wine was not simply a product; it was part of Jewish life, accompanying Shabbat, holidays, and family celebrations.

That tradition carried a meaning beyond the bottle. It represented a connection to family, community, and generations who had come before.

The family’s later connection to Israeli winemaking brings that heritage into a new setting. Today, Noah is one of the names associated with Israeli kosher wines, linking the ancient biblical figure who planted a vineyard with a modern tradition of producing wine in Israel.

The winery information available publicly is limited, and the precise relationship among the Noah label, the family’s various winery operations, and Hebron Heights Winery deserves further clarification. What remains compelling is the broader story of Jewish winemaking: a tradition that has endured across countries and generations, finding new expression in the Land of Israel.

🍷 Final Sips

Noah’s story is about beginning again. It is about planting, rebuilding, and having the faith that something good can grow after difficult times.

Wine has its own way of telling stories like these. A vineyard takes patience. A family tradition takes perseverance. And a bottle shared around a table connects us to something larger than ourselves.

So, as we raise a glass of Noah Merlot, we can toast the biblical story that started it all, the generations who kept the tradition alive, and the people who continue to make Israeli wine part of our lives today.

🛒 Where to Find It

Noah Merlot may be a little harder to track down, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for. I found this week’s bottle at Glatt Gourmet in Lakewood, New Jersey, and I’ve also spotted it at KC Market in Boynton Beach, Florida.

If you come across a bottle, let me know! I always love hearing where readers discover Israeli wines.

Happy hunting, and l’chaim! 🍷