CATALOG
winesandvinescellars.com
CONTENTS Carmel Winery ............................................ 3 The Judean Quartet ...................................12 Domaine du Castel ............................................ 14 Raziel Winery ............................................ 18 Tzora Vineyards ............................................ 20 Flam Winery ............................................ 25 Sphera Winery ............................................ 32 Tulip Winery ............................................ 34 Seahorse Winery ............................................ 42 Nachmani Winery ............................................ 46
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Carmel Winery, the historic winery of Israel, was founded in 1882 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, owner of Château Lafite in Bordeaux. Carmel owns the two largest wineries in Israel, at Rishon Le Zion and Zichron Ya’acov, each with deep underground cellars built by Rothschild in the 19th century.
Carmel Winery is the first commercial winery established in the State of Israel and the only one that continues to this day in its activity, already 140 years of expertise and uncompromising. A lot of wine has flowed in our tanks and barrels since the end of the 19th century, but our heritage is still alive and vibrant and making its mark in the Israeli wine world. We have taken upon ourselves the goal of leading and continuing to develop the wine culture in Israel. We believe in the values of loving the country and constantly promote innovation and creativity, while maintaining the dignity of our distinguished history and maintaining warm family ties with 108 grape families over many years. The wine bottles of Carmel Wineries are on the tables in almost every home in Israel, and provide a solution for customers of all ages, and strengthen the feelings of joy, family warmth and optimism.
Private Collection Merlot 2019 Variety: Growing Region: Ageing: Alcohol: Wine Notes:
Merlot 13.5% Bold aromas of cherries, violets and ripe plums. Food Pairing: Lamb, Poultry and Cheeses
Private Collection Chardonnay 2020 Variety: Growing Region: Ageing: Alcohol: Wine Notes:
Chardonnay 12% A crisp, refreshing white wine with a tropical fruit aroma, a hint of green apple and a clean acidity.
Private Collection Rose 2021 Variety: Rose Growing Region: Ageing: Alcohol: 12.5% Wine Notes: Deep pink color. On the nose, ripe strawberries and blueberries, peach, and apricot. Light toward medium in body, with on the palate ripe raspberries, tart blueberries, followed by watermelon, with good acidity and a refreshing finish.
BUZZ SERIES A series of light, accessible highly aromatic, joyful and enjoyable wines, with a naturally low alcohol percentage 5.5%, light sparkling and a gentle sweetness. The wines are produced in the Italian "Moscato d'Asti" style and suitable for a wide range of consumption options, providing a drinking experience that does not require prior preparation. Just drink and enjoy.
About The Judean Hills Quartet is a group of artisanal wineries which provide a window into the rebirth of a beautiful wine region with a deep history. They tell the story of the renaissance of the Judean Hills, which is leading Israel to new levels of quality. The four wineries have contrasting personalities and different wine styles, but they each share the unique terroir of the area. The Quartet’s purpose is to educate and explain about this fascinating, new quality wine region, in the same place where wine was made in ancient times.
The Wineries Israel has started a new stage in its development as a quality wine producing country. The region that is leading the way in the search for ongoing improving quality and individuality, is the Judean Hills, which has been revitalized with wine content only in the last 20 years. The renaissance of the Judean Hills can be seen in the wineries that are making authentic wines, expressing a specific terroir. The Judean Hills Quartet tells the story of this region. Each winery is independent. The wines they produce are firmly entwined with the individual aspect and terroir they find in their own particular vineyards. A perfect synergy of the wine, a person and a unique place.
The Region The Judean Hills is one of the newest and most interesting quality wine regions in the world, providing fascination to connoisseurs and wine lovers alike. It is this area where Israeli artisan winemaking has taken root. There are numerous small vineyards and over thirty small boutique wineries making wines with character and individuality. Wines from the Judean Hills show an elegance, spiciness and minerality, which seems to be unique to the region. The region is at the epicenter of the new Israeli wine quality and wineries from there have received notable international recognition at the highest level. They are today producing some of Israel’s very finest wines. The Judean Hills wine region lies between the Mediterranean Sea and Jerusalem. The central coastal plain south east of Tel Aviv leads to the rolling hills of the Judean Foothills. After the town of Beit Shemesh, the elevations rise sharply and continue to rise until Jerusalem. The vineyards tend to be small in size, covering the region like a series of postage stamps rather than a patchwork. One is in a wadi or valley, another on sloping hills. Yet each is a self-contained area with its own voice. Each in its own way offers a unique palette for the winemaker to interpret the particular terroir. What is similar is that most vineyards lie within protected nature reserves interspersed with forests mainly of pine trees, but also oaks. Garrigue, a low growing Mediterranean scrub, may be found in small clumps, hugging the ground as if in an attempt to seek moisture from the rock hard limestone. There is a wild ruggedness to the surrounding area. Particularly in the spring, a whiff of the aromas of wild oregano, sage and za’ater may be caught by the wind as these mingle with the beautiful wild flowers. Mediterranean aromas and flavors for Mediterranean wines. Occasionally young deers will be seen frolicking amongst the vines, darting here and there, using the vines to play a light footed hide and seek. The area is beautiful. Each particular vineyard is totally original. The revitalization of the Judean Hills is recent, but the old man made terraces or ancient limestone wine presses give a window to a winemaking past. A passing look at the soils will unearth fascinating fossils, dating back to the Tethys Sea period, hundreds of millions of years ago. This underlines a rich and varied history this same area has undergone over millennia.
The Vineyards The vineyards in the Judean Hills tend to be small, each in their own microclimate and ecosystem. This partly explains why there are so many wineries in the area making small cuvées. Some vineyards lie in wadis (valleys), others are on terraces fitting the contours of the winding slopes. The climate is perfect for producing high quality wine grapes. It is Mediterranean: warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. There is usually no rain in the growing season. The precipitation over the winter months, usually from October to April, can reach from between 400 to 650 mm. Elevations range from 400 to 800 meters (1,200 – 2,400 feet) which help provide a cooler climate and a longer growing season. Temperatures are assisted by the two most notable geographical features of the area: the Mediterranean Sea and the Jerusalem Mountains. The Judean Hills region is only 40-50 km from the sea, and the vineyards are the recipient of constant and ongoing winds off the Mediterranan, from the west. These have a cooling effect, providing ventilation and aeration for the vines, reducing humidity and bringing down average temperatures. The Judean Hills are backed by higher mountains. At nighttime, cool air from these mountains circulates to replace the warmer air below and this cools the vineyards to a surprising extent. At the height of the harvest, when Israel is sweltering, temperatures in the Judean Hills can fall to 15°C at night. Only on visiting can it be appreciated why the Judean Hills is arguably the leading region for white wines in Israel. Early morning mists in the summer months further protect the grapes. Maximum temperatures in the summer are 30°C. Average winter temperatures range from 7°C to 15°C. There is likely to be snow on the higher altitude vineyards on an annual basis. Soils tend to be very shallow. The topsoil is terra rossa clay on a bedrock of limestone. This combination is very associated with Mediterranean climates. The soils are well-drained and rich in minerals.
Nachmani – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot Reserve 2017 The grapes are from Kerem Ben Zimra and Kfar Kisch. The wine matured in French and American Oak barrels for 24 months. The wine was bottled without filtering, and left to rest for 10 months for stabilization. Nachmani, a family winery in Gan Ner on the Gilboa, specializes, since 2003, in reserve, red wines from vineyards in Northern Israel. Dry, red wine. Contents: 750 ml. Alcohol 13.8%. Cal to 100 ml -80 . Contains SO2. Produced by Nachmani Winery, Gan Ner, Gilboa.
Nachmani – Shiraz Reserve, 2017 The grapes are from Kidmat Zvi. The wine matured in French and American Oak barrels for 24 months. The wine was bottled without filtering, and left to rest for 10 months for stabilization. Nachmani, a family winery in Gan Ner on the Gilboa, specializes, since 2003, in reserve, red wines from vineyards in Northern Israel.
Dry, red wine. Contents: 750 ml. Alcohol 14.0%. Cal to 100 ml -80 . Contains SO2.
Shaked – Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Reserve – 2015 Blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot grapes, that grew in vineyards of Ramot Naftali, Upper Galilee. The wine matured in French and American Oak barrels for 24 months. The wine was bottled without filtering, and left to rest for 10 months for stabilization. Nachmani, a family winery in Gan Ner on the Gilboa, specializes, since 2003, in reserve, red wines from vineyards in Northern Israel.
Dry, red wine. Contents: 750 ml. Alcohol 14.6%. Cal to 100 ml -80 . Contains SO2.