Welcome to SOMMELIER

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The Israel Export Institute is proud to host a special wine delegation

Consisting of ten of the most influential wine journalists and writers from around the world. The delegation brings together voices that shape wine lists, buying decisions, and public perception of wine globally, offering a rare opportunity for direct, in-depth engagement with the Israeli wine scene.

Over the course of the visit, delegates will experience Israeli wine at its source: meeting the people behind the bottles, exploring diverse wine regions, and tasting across styles and terroirs. Through curated winery visits, professional tastings, and participation in the Sommelier Exhibition in Tel Aviv, the delegation provides a meaningful platform for dialogue, exposure, and long-term connections between Israeli wineries and the international wine community.

Some of our guests:

Reggie Solomon

Writer at Large, Wine Enthusiast

Ben Gabay Bernheim

Wine Writer, Rosé expert

Wolfgang Junglas

Wine Writer, TV host for over 40 years

Miriam Morgenstern

VP Associate publisher, Wine Spectator

The Israel Export Institute

a non-profit organization established in 1958 as a joint initiative of the Government of Israel and the private sector, dedicated to promoting Israeli exports worldwide. In partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Institute supports Israeli producers in building international presence and creating real commercial opportunities abroad.

For wineries, the Institute serves as a one-stop platform for export growth—connecting producers with buyers, importers, media, and industry leaders through international exhibitions, roadshows, outbound and inbound delegations, and professional tastings. Alongside market access, wineries benefit from export advisory services, targeted market intelligence, and professional training in international marketing and trade. With hundreds of activities annually and thousands of participating companies, the Institute provides wineries with the tools, exposure, and connections needed to compete successfully in global wine markets.

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Our Goals

Create a unified brand

Under the name "Wines of Israel", that brings together the diversity of Israeli wineries, regions, and styles into a single, clear narrative.

Make a sustainable plan

For the successful export of Israeli wines that goes beyond one-off activities and focuses on building lasting market presence.

Create opportunities

For wineries seeking to expand their global reach, by opening clear and accessible pathways to international markets.

Our Partners

We work with all wineries around Israel, and we invite you to work with us in shaping the global impression of Israeli wine

Barkan Winery

Barkan Winery traces its origins to 1889 and today stands as one of Israel’s largest and most established wineries, based in Kibbutz Hulda and producing millions of bottles annually. It is Israel’s leading wine exporter, with 25% of production shipped to over 40 countries, and operates a state-of-the-art facility with extensive vineyards spanning the Galilee, Judean Hills, and Negev. Led by Chief Winemaker Olivier Fratty, a Bordeaux-trained oenologist, Barkan combines large-scale viticulture, modern infrastructure, and deep terroir knowledge, earning over 350 international and local medals.

Tulip Winery

Founded in 2003 by the Itzhaki family, Tulip Winery was established in Kfar Tikva with a unique vision that combines high-quality winemaking with a deep social commitment, integrating community members with special needs into the winery’s daily work. Built on meticulous vineyard practices and innovative viticulture, Tulip focuses on precision, sustainability, and expressive wines that reflect both a strong human ethos and a clear sense of place.

Golan Heights Winery

Founded in 1983 by eight kibbutzim and moshavim, Golan Heights Winery was the first winery established in the Golan Heights and a defining force in shaping modern Israeli wine. Farming approximately 6,300 dunams across 456 vineyard plots and 19 grape varieties, the winery produces a diverse portfolio under the Yarden, Gamla, Mount Hermon, and Golan labels, driven by a long-term commitment to quality, regional expression, and the exceptional potential of the Golan Heights.

Shiloh Winery

Established in 2005 in the historic Shiloh region, Shiloh Winery draws on one of the world’s most ancient wine terroirs, overlooking the Shiloh River and Samarian Hills. Combining carefully selected regional grapes, state-of-the-art technology, and the expertise of winemaker Amichai Luria, the winery produces award-winning wines that unite biblical heritage with a modern, internationally focused winemaking approach.

Jerusalem Wineries

Jerusalem Wineries is the only winery operating within the city of Jerusalem, with roots tracing back to the late 19th century and a deep connection to the city’s cultural and historical identity. Its portfolio ranges from accessible, food-friendly wines to premium and limited-production expressions, led by the flagship Windmill Project series inspired by the historic Montefiore Windmill and crafted for fine dining and collectors. With a strong focus on origin, balance, and longevity, and all wines produced as kosher, the winery offers internationally relevant wines that unite provenance, heritage, and contemporary winemaking.

Vitkin Winery

Vitkin is a family-owned winery founded in 2001 and a pioneer of Mediterranean-style winemaking in Israel, led by Doron Belogolovsky and Assaf Paz, Israel’s first Bordeaux-trained winemaker. Known for reviving forgotten varieties such as Carignan, Colombard, and Petite Sirah, Vitkin helped spark Israel’s Mediterranean wine movement and is regarded as one of the country’s most innovative wineries, now operating from a modern, purpose-built winery since 2015.

Jezreel Winery

Founded in 2012, Jezreel Valley Winery was established with a clear vision to create wines that reflect the Israeli climate, palate, and spirit. Focusing on Mediterranean grape varieties, historic soils, and precise, modern winemaking, the winery produces distinctly Israeli wines with a strong sense of place and identity.

Recanati Winery

Founded in 2000 by Lenny Recanati and Uri Shaked, Recanati Winery is a leading force in shaping modern Israeli wine, driven by a clear vision to express local terroir through a distinct Mediterranean identity. A pioneer in combining classic and Mediterranean varieties - and later reviving the ancient Marawi grape - Recanati produces award-winning boutique wines that consistently earn international recognition for their authenticity, innovation, and sense of place.

Want to be a part of Wines of Israel?

Contact:

Mark Gershman | Head of Wine Sector, IEI

+972-50-730-2850 | markg@export.gov.il

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