The Vineyards
The winery’s vineyards are situated in Kedesh Valley, between Moshav Ramot Naftaly and Moshav Dishon. The vineyards are located at the southern edge of Kedesh Valley, an area surrounded by a high mountainous range that serves as protection from the wind. The rows of vines are planted in deep Terra Rosa soil on moderate slopes, and enjoy the natural drainage, the morning mist and the soft sunrays even in the hottest months of summer.
Boutique winery owners, some of whom also complete the role of vigneron, constantly look for distinctive conditions that will differentiate them from other wineries and growing areas. Everyone grows and produces the traditional leading wine varieties, yet the uniqueness and distinctiveness in wineries is in the development of the grapes, which varies depending on the area of growth. Our winery’s production vision is to develop, grow and manufacture wines from different varieties that are suited to our area of growth. We grow six grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Barbera.
C. Sauvignon
Yitzhak Cohen has served for many years within the agriculture industry, as well as in various managerial positions. His connection witaCabernet Sauvignon is regarded as the classic wine of the Israeli and international mainstream and is renowned as the indisputable king of wines. It is the most suitable variety of wine to be aged. The Cabernet can be grown on different soils, in different climates and using different growing methods. The variety can be paired with practically any type of food, depending on its composition and the period of time it has been aged. The wine is red in color and contains the rich flavors of berries and plums, as well as bitter and gripping tannins that refine as it matures and leave a strong taste in the mouth.h wine started long before establishing the Ramot Naftaly Winery. Moshav Ramot Naftaly is one of the 8 shareholders of the Golan Heights Winery. Wine grapes grown in Kedesh Valley have been supplied to the winery for the last 30 years.
Merlot
The Merlot is regarded as a “modest” grape and is much softer than the Cabernet. This variety possesses the ability for lengthened aging, and is renowned across the globe as one of the classic varieties to grow. The Merlot is the perfect companion to the Cabernet in blends: the Merlot’s softness moderates the Cabernet’s roughness – the Cabernet’s high tannic content is refined when blended with the Merlot. Our winery holds the ‘Duet’ wine, which consists of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet.
Petit Verdot
The Petit Verdot is another variety found inside the traditional Bordeaux blend, although its part in the blend is small. The variety has two desired and important effects. Firstly, since the grape ripens relatively late in the season, a fair amount of acidity is derived, which contributes to the wine’s final taste and balance. Secondly, the grape has an intense red color that can be added to wines which have relatively faint colors. Aside from its use in blends, the Petit Verdot produces wines with unique characteristics, including velvety and pampering flavors, firm tannins and rich colors that age and develop over time. In our winery, we produce a special Petit Verdot varietal which has a refined taste and a soft and round texture, characteristics that portray an ‘effeminate’ perception.
Malbec
The Malbec is the fifth varietal in the Bordeaux blend and, despite originating in France, is mostly recognized as an Argentinean and Chilean wine. Malbec grapes are black, giving the wine an intense color and dark shades. They also have a high tannic content which causes the wine to be extremely dry. Since the Malbec requires warm temperatures and regular sunlight, Israel’s climate is more than suitable for cultivating these grapes. Our winery is one of only a few in the country that produces varietal wine from this grape.
Barbera
The Barbera comes from the Piedmont region in Italy, and belongs to a family that is characterized by unique and diverse flavors. The Barbera grape produces wines that are light and refreshing, with the powerful aroma of fruit and flowers. The wine has an intense red color and is full-bodied with low tannins and light levels of acid. The Ramot Naftaly Winery has two vineyards. The first can be found in a plot adjacent to the winery itself, while the other is situated in our large vineyard in the valley. The Barbera cultivated in the vineyard differs from the Italian Barbera. Its unique and interesting flavors have made it one of our winery’s most popular bottles. We are one of the pioneering producers of Barbera in Israel, and our wine is considered by many to be the best of its kind in the country.
Shiraz
Shiraz is the Australian (or South African) name of the Syrah variety, which originates in the valleys of France’s Rhone region. In recent years the Shiraz variety has become one of the most prominent competitors in the wine market, challenging the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Shiraz is a dark-skinned grape, which gives the wine a more intense color compared to other varieties. The wine’s flavor is very much affected by the growing conditions and winemaking methods. The wine contains a wide range of aromas and flavor, and full body characteristics. In our winery we produce a 100% Shiraz varietal, as well as a Shiraz and Cabernet blend.
Nebbiolo Rose
Nebbiolo is an old, old grape, first being referenced as far back as the 13th Century. Hailing from Northern Italy’s Piedmont region, this grape is known for producing powerful, full-bodied, and mercilessly tannic wines. Most famously, it’s the grape that goes into Barolo and Barbaresco, two of the world’s most revered (and more expensive) wines. The name Nebbiolo derives from nebbia, the Italian word for “fog.” This is likely from the white, powder-like natural bloom on the grapes that appears during harvest season.
Nebbiolo is an incredibly fussy variety to grow. It flowers early, ripens late, and can struggle to ripen fully. It needs to be trained to yield low quality grapes. It also seems to prefer specific hillside locations and clay- and silt-based soils.
Our Nebbiolo grows in a 1 acre plot in Moshav Kfar Shamai of the upper Galilee.
Gewurztraminer
Gewürztraminer is a pink-skinned grape variety that produces some of the world’s most distinctive aromatic white wines. Gewüztraminer’s origins aren’t clear but some believe it comes from the town of Tramin in the Alto Adige region of Italy, nestled in the Alps. Today, it makes its home across the globe, but France is now its adopted homeland, specifically in Alsace, where we find over a quarter of the plantings. The grape’s name is derived from the German word “Gewürz,” which means “spice,” reflecting its spicy character. Genetic studies have revealed that Gewürztraminer is a mutation of the Traminer grape, also known as Savagnin, a variety native to the Alpine regions of Europe. Over time, the grape has evolved into several distinct clones, with each expressing slightly different characteristics. The distinctive aroma of Gewürztraminer can be attributed to its unique composition of aroma compounds. Gewurztraminer buds early and ripens mid-season, sometimes requiring extended time on the vine after most white varieties have been harvested (for dry wines).
Our Gewürztraminer vineyard grows in a 1.5 acre plot in Moshav Safsufa of the Upper Galilee.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay, found in every winemaking country, originated in Burgundy, France. Chardonnay as a grape is relatively neutral and it is not considered an aromatic variety. In general, Chardonnay grows well in a variety of climates. It provides a relatively good yield and is relatively vigorous and concentration of flavor in the final wine may involve a degree of crop-thinning in the growing season. The alluring buttery essence of Chardonnay doesn’t just miraculously appear. It’s the result of a carefully orchestrated biochemical process called malolactic fermentation (MLF).
Our Chardonnay grapes grow in a 1 acre plot in Kerem Ben Zimra on Basalt soil.