An excellent Pinot Noir. Balanced, slightly tart cherry flavor with a floral bouquet. Love it. — 3 months ago
Yarden – Pinot Noir – 2022
Galilee – Israel 🇮🇱
Overview
100% Pinot Noir sourced from the northern reaches of the Golan Heights, where high elevation, cool nights, and rocky volcanic soils create an ideal environment for this delicate, thin-skinned variety. Aged for over 16 months in French oak, this bottling delivers surprising depth and complexity. Kosher, and produced in a non-Mevushal style, allowing greater finesse and aromatic purity.
Aromas & Flavors
Lifted floral notes, red cherry, wild berries, rose petals, clove, and subtle baking spice. The volcanic influence adds a faint smoky-mineral edge that enhances its old-world charm.
Mouthfeel
Silky, medium-bodied, and beautifully balanced. Fresh acidity supports a layered palate with refined tannins and an elegant, persistent finish.
Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, seared tuna, Mediterranean lamb skewers, or grilled vegetables with za’atar.
Verdict
A sophisticated and terroir-driven expression of Pinot Noir from one of Israel’s most compelling cool-climate zones. Remarkably elegant, with an old-world spirit shaped by a uniquely volcanic landscape. Cheers!
Did You Know?
The Golan Heights sits atop an extinct volcanic plateau. Its basalt-rich soils and high elevations mirror some of the world’s great cool-climate regions, making it one of Israel’s best sites for Burgundian varieties. — 7 months ago
Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from a family with farming and winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across, almost looks like a Cab). Rich berry flavors with cedar, spice and vanilla. Lingering ending with sweet oak notes. Consistent quality Nice! A Fav! — 6 years ago

Sweet, crisp, fruity, clean — 7 years ago
Yarden – Chardonnay – 2023
Galilee – Golan Heights Winery, Israel 🇮🇱
Overview
A dry, terroir-driven Chardonnay from the elevated vineyards of the Galilee and Golan Heights, where altitude and cooler temperatures preserve freshness and minerality. This is a restrained, modern expression, focused more on clarity and balance than overt oak influence, allowing site and fruit purity to take center stage.
Aromas & Flavors
Clean and expressive with notes of tropical fruit layered over subtle orchard tones. Pineapple and ripe mango lead, followed by baked pear, green sliced apple, and a light citrus peel accent. Mineral undertones add definition and keep the fruit in check.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a refreshing line through the palate. The texture is smooth yet energetic, finishing dry and clean with lingering fruit and mineral tension.
Food Pairings (Kosher-friendly)
Grilled or roasted fish, herb-roasted chicken, vegetable couscous, quinoa salads, or kosher cheeses such as aged gouda or manchego-style alternatives. Also excellent with Mediterranean mezze or simple olive-oil–driven dishes.
Verdict
A well-made, honest Chardonnay that delivers freshness, balance, and a clear sense of place. Not flashy or heavily oaked, but dependable and expressive, an easy recommendation for those who enjoy mineral-driven, food-friendly whites.
Did You Know?
Yarden sources fruit from some of Israel’s highest-elevation vineyards, where cooler nights help maintain acidity, key to the wine’s freshness and structure.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
I appreciate the purity here. Clean, mineral, and refreshing, with just enough fruit weight to stay engaging. A solid kosher, non-mevushal Chardonnay that respects both terroir and balance. — 6 months ago
Very good merlot. Low acidity, medium tannins. Very oaky with a sweet vanilla, dark fruits, but with a dark chocolate finish, maybe with a pepper. Still: one of my favorite labels. — 5 years ago
12.26.2019 — 6 years ago
In my quest to compare old v new world kicking it off with olld world. I was worried this would be an oak bomb based on some previous vintages but there is restraint here. Golden vanilla and somehow green on the nose. The palate is bordering on rich but not. Cool climate fun that is balanced by baking spice and sass. I like this. If you want kosher for Passover (albeit not mevushal) this is for you. I’m neither of those things but finding it a pleasant Chard that flirts with oak just enough to keep enjoying. — 7 years ago
Fabulous character! The best of Virginia’s Piedmont foothills on display — 8 months ago
A good Pinot Noir. Well balanced with a slightly tart finish. — 9 months ago
Nose: hint oak. Airy. Hint sea breeze. Lovely. White flowers.
Palate: lovely sweet oak. Sweet wood. Rich. Not over the top. — 2 years ago
Sweet, but not overbearing. Fizzy and tasty. — 6 years ago
First time trying a wine from Israel. This was pretty nice—lots of autolytic notes and it was nice to try one that was vintage dated and with some bottle age. — 6 years ago
A favorite, very smooth and light. — 7 years ago
Miles Perry
Another good Bethel Heights Pinot Noir. Great floral notes and a clean finish. — 2 months ago