TASTING  NOTES

Attractive fruity aromas of cherries and strawberries with notes of spices, herbs and violets. Aromatic wine, suitable for daily consumption.

serving temperature: 16-ºC

THE WINERY

Golan Heights Winery, Israel’s leading producer of quality wines, was established in 1983 by four kibbutzim and four moshavim (cooperative communities). From its founding until today, the Winery has made its mark and expanded its influence on the Israeli wine world. Its establishment changed the local wine map and shaped the perception of wine quality in the mind of the Israeli consumer. The Winery produces four labels with a range of varieties and styles: Yarden, Gamla, Hermon and Golan.

VINEYARDS

At present, the Winery maintains about 6,300 dunams (630 hectares) of grape-yielding vineyards. The Winery has planted some 20 varieties of grapes in 28 vineyards divided into roughly 450 blocks, at elevations ranging from 400 to almost 1,200 meters. Each vineyard block is mapped and cataloged, with constant monitoring of its various parameters including soil conductivity, growth, water condition in the vine, and more. From the knowledge gathered over the years, we can understand the block’s characteristics, abilities, development and health. This information is essential for making decisions throughout the year and during harvest. The blocks are harvested separately, and their wines are stored separately in stainless steel tanks in order to maintain their identity and uniqueness until final blending. From this large selection of small blocks, our winemakers can choose the most appropriate blocks for the relevant wine. The decision to bottle single-vineyard wines was made at the Winery only after many years of monitoring and studying the uniqueness and potential of each and every vineyard. Single-vineyard wines are produced only in vintages in which grape quality is exceptional and the vineyard’s terroir is clearly expressed in the wine.

VINIFICATION

While the winter leading up to the 2017 season started promisingly, with an unusually cold and wet December, total seasonal precipitation finished at only 82% of normal. The lack of late winter rain resulted in restrained vine growth and canopies nicely open to light and air penetration. After an average spring, July saw daily highs 2oC (3.6oF) warmer than usual. Happily, typical weather returned in August, and the absence of weather extremes led to beautiful, and faster than normal, ripening. Ending up as a relatively short eleven-week harvest, 2017 was yet another vintage of excellent quality.

Mount Hermon Red is a blend of the classic Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The wine’s grapes were harvested from vineyards located on the Golan Heights. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation, and was bottled without sterile filtration.

FOOD PAIRING

Beef, Lamb, Pork, Game (deer, venison), Spicy food, Mature and hard cheese, Poultry, Mild and soft cheese