Dozens of wineries throughout the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council have recently become a household name in the Israeli wine industry. The wineries are an integral part of the place where they were established, and of the site's history dating back to biblical times.
Some of the wineries also have stories about the connection of the biblical winery name to the place. Besides the good wines they produce, they have also become a source of income and a tourist anchor for the entire region.
The vision to create a 'Wine Road' and 'Wine Region' in the 'Green Heart' of Israel is led by the 'Mata Yehuda' Regional Council, together with the local farmers and excellent winemakers. They have all joined together to make the vision a reality, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism.
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This year, for the 17th year, the Wine Festival is taking place in Mateh Yehuda, a celebration of tourism, wine, and agriculture.
The events provide a spectacular glimpse into the wine cellars and the process of making and producing wine, and of course - the highlight is the 'wine cellar tours'.
Wine has personality.
The festival opened with a festive main event held on Thursday evening at the Mini Israel Park. Approximately 30 wineries from across the region are participating.
There are also non-kosher wineries among them. We will, of course, only address the kosher ones. I have already written about some of them, and with God's help I will also write about other kosher and excellent wineries.
When an ordinary person enters such a large hall and sees so many stalls all offering wine, the bottles seem to him to be exactly the same: apart from the different colors of the bottle labels, all the labels have almost the same texts written on them: "So and so Cabernet percentage", "So and so Merlot", "Petit Syrah" and many other names that the general public doesn't mean much to.
It is also possible that someone who doesn't understand wine, but thinks he knows how to do business, would suggest to all these wineries to dig a huge pond, that they all come and pour their grapes there, and after a few weeks, each one would take out wine from there before the ratio they brought in and sell it.
Why do we need another winery, another winery, another winery?
The answer is simple: The 'big pool' proposal is perhaps good for Coke, not for wine. Wine has personality. Each winery brings out different flavors just as each family raises different children, and each zebra has different stripes.
Someone who takes the same blend from three wineries in three glasses, sips slowly, just a small sip from the first glass, a few more drops from the second, from the third - and then a minute later another round, will quickly discover that he still can't decide which is more delicious and prestigious.
To reach this understanding, one must study for several years, and in any case, he will definitely feel the difference, and will be able to decide for himself what he likes more.
From the south to Mount Hermon
Each visitor received a glass of quality wine upon entry and also the option to not only taste the fine wine, but also hear about the area's vineyards and get to know the winemakers and winery owners.
''Mini Israel' was illuminated with special lighting in honor of the event, and it was possible to stroll through the paths of Little Israel, accompanied by a glass of wine, and make 'cheers' to various regions of the country - from the south to Mount Hermon.
The cool, pleasant air was the complete opposite of the warm, pleasant atmosphere.
Wandering around the stalls there and tasting the excellent produce of wines and wineries like 'Nes Harim' - 'Katalev Winery', 'Shoresh' - 'Tzora Winery', 'Grand Vino' - 'Castle Winery', 'Har Eitan' - 'Mtsouda Winery' (and forgive me for those I forgot, because after a few decent tastings it's hard to concentrate and remember them all) - was a special experience.
I also didn't mention the wineries that only presented their popular wines at the exhibition. One of the owners of these wineries told me that he lets you taste the best ones at the winery, because the exhibition is attended not only by wine connoisseurs, but also by photographers, the curious, traders, sellers of empty glasses and bottles, label printers, and more.
This unprofessional group needs a quarter of a glass of wine to make a 'cheers', and to Dida there is no difference between wine at 30 NIS per bottle and wine at 300 NIS per bottle.
Kosher wineries
""Meta Yehuda is proud to hold the wine festival for the 17th consecutive year," says Moshe Dadon, head of the council. "We welcome the new and veteran wineries and wish them all success.
""The 'Wine Route' in Mateh Yehuda, which has become a household name in tourism in Israel, continues to grow and make a great contribution to the entire region. I invite the residents of Mateh Yehuda and the region to participate in this important festival.".
""During the month of the festival, guided tours will be held among the wineries. The tours usually take place on Fridays of the festival. Anyone interested in participating in them is invited to contact the Tourism Department of the Yehuda Headquarters.".
The kosher wineries participating in the festival are:
Teperberg Winery 1970, Moni Winery, Tzora Winery, Flam Winery, Kela David Winery, Carmei Yosef Bravdo Winery, Nevo Winery, Rama Winery, Katlev Winery, Tsova Winery, Mtsuda Winery, Castel Winery, Emek Ela Wineries, Jaffa Winery, Agur Winery.
There was something nice about the exit, which all visitors to these exhibitions should know.
Before leaving the hall, a policeman stood with a 'breathalyzer' and offered to take an alcohol test for everyone. The policeman offered it politely and with a smile (for me it would have been a "fail"). But when leaving the complex, about half a kilometer away, another policeman stood, also with a breathalyzer - and he was no longer polite or nice.
That's why it's always a good idea to come with a companion who will hold back and only drink a little.
I was privileged in this exhibition to fulfill what is said in the Torah: "I will make for him a helper suitable for him.".
Shraga Gebhard, a professional kosher wine consultant. Winery guide, and organizer of winery tours and lectures, Tel: 0526176201
