Israel’s wine revival has brought renewed attention to both ancient indigenous grapes and modern international varietals, resulting in wines that are expressive, complex, and rooted in terroir.
Key Native & Historic Varietals:
Argaman – A vibrant Israeli-born grape known for its deep color, bold tannins, and notes of blackberry, spice, and Mediterranean herbs.
Dabouki – An ancient white variety revived in boutique wineries, producing aromatic wines with floral notes and gentle acidity.
Marawi (Hamdani) – An indigenous white grape tied to biblical-era viticulture; crisp and mineral-driven with orchard fruit tones.
International Varietals Thriving in Israel’s Climate:
Cabernet Sauvignon – Robust, structured, and age-worthy, often flourishing in the Judean Hills and Upper Galilee.
Syrah – Mediterranean-friendly, producing expressive wines with dark fruit, spice, and savory accents.
Grenache, Carignan, and Petite Sirah – Warm-climate varietals that have found a natural home in Israel’s terroir.
Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc – Fresh, elegant whites shaped by cool-climate regions such as the Golan Heights.
With grapes grown from the mountains of the Galilee to the sun-drenched Negev desert, Israeli wines reflect a tapestry of soils, altitudes, and microclimates—perfect for adventurous holiday sipping.
Innovation Rooted in Tradition: Israel’s Pioneering Drip Irrigation
Israel is globally recognized as a leader in agricultural innovation—particularly in drip irrigation, a system that has transformed both modern agriculture and viticulture worldwide.
Many IWPA wineries rely on these advanced systems to produce high-quality wines despite limited rainfall, enabling precision control over terroir. Drip irrigation delivers slow, targeted hydration directly to each vine’s root zone through a network of tubes and emitters. This method greatly reduces water loss from runoff or evaporation and allows winemakers to fine-tune irrigation for each grape variety, soil type, and microclimate.
As a result, wineries across Israel—from the Judean Hills to the Galilee—are producing wines with remarkable consistency, depth, and character. Here are a few Israeli wineries with vintages available at the LCBO.
As one of Israel’s largest wineries, Barkan offers an extensive lineup from entry-level to high-end wines. With vineyards in the Golan Heights, Judean Hills, and Negev, Barkan produces consistent, accessible wines known for their balance, value, and wide appeal in international markets.
Founded in 1952, Binyamina Winery lies near Carmel Mountains and is known for wines that balance heritage and innovation. The winery offers ranges such as Yogev and Reserve, delivering consistent quality across red, white, and rose wines that highlight Israel's diverse wine regions.
Established in 1882, Carmel is Israel’s oldest and most historic winery. Its vast vineyards span the country’s best wine-growing regions. With labels like Carmel Signature and Private Collection, the winery produces everything from traditional kosher wines to complex, premium reds and whites.
As Israel’s northernmost winery, Odem Mountain produces cool-climate wines of elegance and balance. Their portfolio includes varietals that thrive in the unique conditions of the Golan Heights.
One of Israel’s oldest wineries, Segal blends tradition with modern winemaking techniques to produce a diverse range of wines that cater to various tastes and occasions.
Israel’s oldest family-owned winery, Teperberg offers a diverse range of wines for all occasions, blending heritage with modern winemaking practices.
The Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA) represents nearly 40 wineries nationwide, bringing together boutique estates and major producers under one unified banner to educate, promote, and introduce Israel’s world-class wines. Israeli wines are regularly rated in the high 90’s by Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Decanter, and James Suckling. Some of the accolades of specific Israeli wines earned in 2025 include: Feldstein Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 – 94 WE; Jezreel Valley Alfa 2023 – 93 WE;Domaine du Castel Grand Vin 2021 – 92 W ; Teperberg Essence Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 – 93 D'Shiloh Mosaic Exclusive Edition 2020 – 92 JS and The Barkan Superior 2020 received Gold Medal and 95 points at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards, to name a few.
As families gather and celebrations fill the calendar, Israeli wines not only elevate the palate but also carry spiritual symbolism, ancient grape heritage, and a rich, storied connection to the land. Each Israeli winery has a vibrant narrative and distinctive portfolio, offering award-winning red, white, rosé, and specialty varietals.