The whole northern area of Israel, including Haifa and Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, has been under attack in the current war conducted by Hezbollah from Lebanon. Thousands of advanced rockets and katushas are being fired indiscriminately on the civilian population of Israel – many of whom have fled to the centre of the country for safety. The loss of life, high numbers injured and the damage to property is considerable.

The original crossing of the U.N. agreed border, between Israel & Lebanon, by Hezbollah and the kidnapping of the two young Israeli soldiers, took place at Zarit, a place more associated with wine than war. Zarit is the name of vineyard, which supplies fruit for Carmel Winery’s single vineyard Zarit Cabernet Sauvignon. This incursion and kidnapping started the war.

One of the premier wine growing regions of Israel is the Upper Galilee. The Galilee is the prime area in the firing line. The two main wine growing areas of the Upper Galilee are the Kedesh Valley, along the border, and Merom HaGalil, near Mount Meron. These areas have some of the finest vineyards in the country, but they are in the news daily, but unfortunately not for wine reasons. Certain vineyards like Ben Zimra and Meron, have received direct hits incurring damage.

As far as the main wineries are concerned, there are three in the Upper Galilee: Galil Mountain at Kibbutz Yiron, Dalton and Carmel’s new winery at Ramat Dalton. Tabor is in the Lower Galilee and Golan Heights Winery is on the Golan Heights. Wineries have not moved stock to safer facilities – the problem of a lack of space and complicated logistics being a critical consideration. The Galilee wineries tried initially to work with a skeleton staff, but as the barrage of missiles intensified, most of the workers were sent home.

Wineries would normally now be making last minute preparations before the harvest, however no-one but the most stubborn and dedicated wine grower is visiting the vineyards at this time. This is a great concern with the harvest beginning in August in some areas. The current situation does not bode well for the 2006 vintage. Amphorae, Barkan, Carmel, Dalton, Flam, Galil Mountain, Margalit, Recanati, Saslove and Segal are some of the main wineries that use the Upper Galilee grapes for their finest wines.  Lets home there is still time for the 2006 vintage to be remembered for its quality, rather than for the distressing events currently happening pre-harvest.

July 2006