Israel is home to many of the best wineries in the world and Masa has put together a list of wineries you should definitely visit! Located in the north, south, and everywhere in between, each winery and vineyard has something unique to offer. With jaw dropping views, fine wines, and delicious cheeses, a wine tour is a great activity to do on a sunny day in Israel.
Our Picks for the Top 11 Wineries in Israel
Gush Etzion Winery and Restaurant
Just a quick drive or bus ride away from the heart of Jerusalem, the Gush Etzion winery and restaurant will offer you a historical and informative tour along with delicious wine and food. The tour is around 45 minutes long and begins in the vineyard where you can explore vine growing methods and the wine making process. Making your way to the archeological garden, you’ll learn about wine traditions and agricultural devices from ancient times. The tour ends with a tasting of a selection of wines exclusive to the grapes from the Gush Etzion hills. Throughout the tour, you will hear stories and learn about significant historical places of Gush Etzion. The winery is also complete with a Kosher Mehadrin dairy and fish restaurant with premium food paired with Gush Etzion wine and breathtaking views of the vineyards and winery.
Gush Etzion Winery Information:
- The tours take place daily, by appointment only, Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
- The cost of the tour is 45 NIS per adult and 20 NIS per child.
The Golan Heights Winery
Golan Heights Winery, Israel’s leading producer of quality wines, was established in 1983 by four kibbutzim and four moshavim. The winery strives to produce quality wines that express distinctive features of the Golan Heights. The winery includes their four labels: Yarden, Gamla, Hermon and Golan. They also offer a variety of tours ranging from a classic tour, a romantic couples tour, a culinary tour, to a Jeep tour of the entire vineyard. Whichever tour you choose, you will learn the story of the winery, vineyards, and region through their philosophy of winemaking, visit the oak barrel cellar, and taste multiple wines. Each tour offers a unique experience that you are sure to love! Make sure to reach out to the Golan Heights Winery to learn more about the tours and see which one is right for you!
Golan Heights Winery Information:
- Sunday 08:30 – 16:00, Monday – Thursday 08:30 – 16:30, Friday 08:30 – 12:30
- Prices
- Classic Tour: Cost per person: 20 NIS (1 hour)
- Wine Box for Lovers: Price per couple: 125 NIS (1.5 hours)
- Professional Tour and Wine Tasting: Cost per person: 150 NIS (1.5 hours)
- Vineyard Tour: Price per couple: 950 NIS or Price per 3-6 pax: 1400 NIS (4+ hours)
- Culinary tours
Psagot Winery
Beautiful vineyards, historic remains, scenic landscapes, and a fun, luxurious experience are all just a short drive outside Jerusalem at the Psagot Winery. Look out to the breathtaking landscape of the Michmash river and the Judean mountains, you’ll learn about the wine made in this region thousands of years ago and how the Psagot winery combines advanced production methods and Biblical-era winemaking traditions. You’ll have an audiovisual presentation and taste some of the fine Psagot wines. Cheese platters, coffee and cake, or a kosher-dairy meal can also be included as an addition.
Psagot Winery Information:
- Sun.–Thu. 09:00–17:00; the last tour starts at 15:00, Fri. 09:00–13:00; last tour at 12:00
Barkan Winery
The Barkan Winery is a Winemakers’ heaven with over 500 acres of different varieties of scenic vineyards. Tours start in the visitor center with the deep aroma of wine and then make their way to the largest barrel hall in Israel with over 5,000 barrels. From there, you’ll watch an 180 degree movie exploring the growing methods and wine’s manufacturing and finish off the tour in the modern bottling hall. You will also be provided with a tasting of four Barkan premium or prestige wines with the addition of boutique cheese, crackers, breads, tapenades, and brunch.
Barkan Winery Information
- Premium Tour: 70 NIS per person (3 to 10 ppl) and 40 NIS per person (10+ people)
- Prestige Tour: 100 NIS per person (3 to 10 ppl) and 75 NIS per person (10+ people)
Tishbi Winery
The Tishbi Winery located in Binyamina is a family owned Israeli winery whose history is rooted in the First Aliya. Throughout the tour, you will learn about the thriving family winery, the wine production process, and Tishbi wine in particular. The tour includes wine and French chocolate tastings. Austrian Chef Gunther Biderman at the Tishbi kosher dairy restaurant prepares delicacies with fresh local ingredients. During the meal, you can enjoy Tishbi wine along with their signature Valrhona French chocolate. The Tishbi Winery also has the BBQ Garage, which specializes in barbequing meats in an American midwestern style. The smoked delicious meats are served on Fridays from 10 am to 3 pm, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly!
Tishbi Winery Information
- Tours: Sundays – Thursdays: 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00
- Restaurant Hours: Sundays – Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Kadesh Barnea
The Ramat Negev Winery located in Kadesh Barnea is the first and largest Israeli family winery established in the Negev. The winery is an ecological winery designed to preserve the desert ecosystem using many agricultural technologies. The tour explains the story of the settlement at the entrance of Nitzana, the establishment of the winery, the beginning of wine production in desert conditions, and so much more. Delectable wine will definitely be provided, but the winery does not offer meals or refreshments, so make sure to come prepared and bring a snack for the trip!
Carmel Winery
Located in Zichron Yaakov (Israel’s Napa Valley), Carmel Winery is globally recognized as one of the top wineries in Israel. With its rich history dating back to 1896, the tour will prove to be fascinating. The winery currently uses a mixture of old and new technologies allowing for fine wine that incorporates some of the winery’s history. Established by the French branch of the Rothschild family, you’ll discover an amazing selection of French style wines during your tasting!
Binyamina Winery
The Binyamina Winery (founded in 1952 by Joseph Zeltzar) is one of the best in the country and receives grapes from vineyards all across Israel. During the tour and tasting, you will learn about the transformation from a perfume distillery to the Binyamina Winery and the history behind the Zeltzer family’s winemaking heritage. The tour will lead you through the vineyard, barrel room, fermentation tanks, along with the state-of-the-art cellars. Finally, you will end in the tasting room where you will have the opportunity to taste three wines and a liqueur produced at this Israeli winery.
Binyamina Winery Information
- 25 NIS per person and tours are suitable for groups of 10 or more participants
- Duration: 1 hour
Netofa Winery
Netofa Winery’s vineyards are located in the heart of the Lower Galilee, which provides the ideal environment for the development of a variety of high quality Mediterranean grapes. The Netofa Winery offers guided wine tastings, culinary experiences, wine workshops, and romantic visits. Your visit to the winery will include a collaboration of five types of wine and exquisite cheeses, olives, dips, seasonal fruits, nuts, and bread straight out of the oven!
Netofa Winery Information:
- Opening hours Sun-Thu 10:00-17: 00 – Friday 10:00 – 15:0
- 130 NIS a person
Yatir Winery
During your visit to the Yatir Winery, you can get to know their fascinating history while connecting to the desert. With the Yatir region in southern Judean Mountains being one of the finest areas for growing vines, you are sure to taste incredible wine during your tour at the Yatir Winery. They offer a basic guided tour with a tasting of three wines and a more extensive tour, which offers a tasting of five types of wine and an assortment of different cheeses.
Yatir Winery Information:
- Basic tour: 50 NIS per person
- Extensive Tour: 100 NIS per person
Shiloh Winery
Shiloh Winery is a modern Israeli winery located in the Shiloh River/Samarian Hills, which is known to be the most ancient wine terroir in the world. Set in the biblical and stunning surroundings, you will get to taste fine wine with a breathtaking view. The winemaker, Amichai Lurie, makes new world style wines from various grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Carignan and Shiraz. Don’t forget to also visit Meshek Achia next door and get some of their delicious olive oils!
Shiloh Winery Information:
- 50 NIS per person
Which Winery in Israel is Your Favorite?
Whether it’s at a winery packed with history, one with a beautiful view, or a winery with a world-renowned restaurant, Masa hopes that you have an unforgettable experience! Make sure to tag @masaisrael when you post pictures from the wine tour!
