The project ‘Handcrafted Wines of Israel’ was a successful attempt to encourage wineries to work together to sell Israel as a quality wine producing country. Sales reached over $ 450,000 to eleven countries in only 18 months. The concept received praise from all quarters. Whilst many professional bodies in Israel only talked about wineries working together, Carmel actually did something which will give others the confidence & encouragement to do so in other formats in the future.
However, in view of its current financial situation, Carmel has decided to withdraw from this project because of pressure to focus on its own products during a period of acute financial problems.
Therefore Carmel has notified the partner wineries of its intention not to continue. However it will continue to export the wines of Yatir Winery, of which it has a 50% share, and the kosher wines produced by Orna Chillag & Barry Saslove, which are made at Carmel.
Chillag’s Orna Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, made at Rishon Le Zion Winery, and Saslove’s K by Saslove Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, made at Zichron Ya’acov Winery, will be bottled shortly for release before the end of the year.
Though Carmel will no longer advance Handcrafted Wines of Israel, the concept will be continued on a distribution level amongst those importers who continue to market the wines as a group. Foremost amongst these are the distributors in America, England & Russia.
September 2005
