Today, there are more than 150 boutique wineries in Israel making excellent wine, both kosher and non kosher--a distinction without any taste difference--and mostly dry French varieties. There is no better way to try the best wines of Israel, and learn about Israeli wine, history, and people than by joining us for a tasting led by the principals of importer Israel Wine Company. They will be bringing some of the highest quality wines from the most respected producers:

1. Ella Valley Vineyards, Merlot Judean Hills, Israel 03' Retail: $34 /Tasting Price: $29.99
2. Ella Valley Chardonnay, Judean Hills, Israel 04' $23/ $19.99
3. Yaffo Cabernet Sauvignon, Judean Hills, Israel '05 $24 /$20.99
4. Erle Carignan, Sharon, Israel '07 $28 / $25.99
5. Erle Merlot, Sharon, Israel '07 $28 / $25.99
[the wines made by our guest speaker]
6. Rimon, Pomegranate Port style, Galilee, Israel '05 $48 /$42.99
7. Rimon, Pomegranate Dessert, Galilee,Israel '05 (500ml) $29 / $19.99
8. Somek, Merlot, Sharon, Israel, 2004 $30/ $27.99
9. Somek, Chardonnay, Sharon, Israel, 2005 $30 / $27.99
10. Clos de Gat, Harel Cabernet Sauvignon, Judean Hills, Israel 05' $35/ $29.99
11. Pelter Trio, Golan, Israel, 2007 $32.40 / $28.99 -
12. Pelter Un-Oaked Charodonnay, Golan, Israel, 2008 $24.50 / $22

The first Biblical mention of wine in the Holy Land is from Genesis 9, 20-21, where it says that Noah began to farm the Land of Israel and planted a vineyard. From that time, wine has been an important part of the Land of Israel and of all of the religious traditions that developed in the Holy Land. It's quite thrilling to be able to taste fine wines from Galilee and the Jerusalem circle.

The planting of vineyards and winemaking has historical significance in the building of modern day Israel. As Jews flocked to Israel beginning in the late nineteenth century and began to settle the land, the planting of vineyards was an important symbolic and agricultural development that helped whole communities build a sustainable way of life in the new Israel.

Ari Erle, founder of the Israel Wine Company and international winemaking consultant, aims to bring the very best of the Israeli wine industry to wine lovers throughout North America. Ari has lived and made wine in both Napa Valley and Israel. He has worked at several wineries in the Napa Valley, such as Colgin Estates, Clos Du Val and currently O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery, and maintains a home in Israel where he also makes wine

Which Israeli wines make it into the company catalog? Ari searches for the best releases in Israel by visiting wineries. After he determines which wines are worth sampling, Ari conducts a blind tasting back in the U.S. against Napa Valley wines with a panel of Napa Valley winemakers. If Ari and the panel choose an Israeli wine, it is then added to the Israel Wine Company list and their blind tasting notes are added to the description of the wine. Come make your own evaluation.

http://israelwinecomp...
http://www.wines-isra...

For those who can stay we'll order items from Cafe Mason next door and enjoy more of the wine.