With the religious holiday of Passover beginning April 12 and lasting until April 20, why not pay homage to this special celebration with wines from Psagot Winery? Having received three certified kosher wines (as samples) from this award winning winery in Binyamin, Israel, I appreciated each sip as I researched its story.
Found in the Jerusalem Mountain Vineyards close to the historic city of Jerusalem, Psagot Winery has been making wines for more than 21 years. Co-founders and husband-and-wife duo Yaakov and Na’ama Berg have as their goal “to produce the finest wines Israel has to offer while honoring the land’s rich tradition and history.” Passion in everything they do is prevalent and I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted. Vineyards are planted on limestone terraces at 700-900 meters above sea level in the Binyamin Mountains and Samaria known for their premium fruit. Seasoned winemaker Sam Soroka has over 20 years of wine production experience in Israel and the wines I tasted revealed his expertise.
The Psagot Winery and the vineyards, which are planted deep in the rocky soil of Binyamin, is the continuation of a chain of many generations of settling and making fine wine in an area where the conditions for this are optimal. The winery was established in 2003 and has grown steadily since then. In the last harvest, the winery produced about 1,000,000 bottles, more than 70% of which is exported to dozens of countries around the world. The Psagot Winery currently produces about 25 high-quality and esteemed wines, which win prestigious competitions, medals and international awards every year.
In June 2020, Psagot Winery moved to its new home in Sha’ar Binyamin. In a beautiful stone building built in the shape of an ancient khan overlooking the view of Wadi Qelt and the Edom Mountains, on one side is the winery production factory, and on the other hand is the winery’s visitor center and banquet hall, in the center of the building, an open complex that is a magical garden overlooking the view of Genesis. On the basement floor, about 1000 barrels of wine are aged every year. In the impressive complex, events and activities of various kinds are held, in a special atmosphere with good wine and a spectacular view.
The winery’s development process does not stop for a moment because wine is an inspiration! Excerpt from Psagot Winery
Photo Credit: Psagot Winery
Visible on the label of each wine bottle is a replica of an ancient coin that dates from the Great Revolt (67 CE). This coin was found in a cave in Psagot while the winery was being established. On one side of the coin is an amphora vessel used for storing wine; on the flip side is a vine leaf. “For us, this ancient coin symbolizes, more than anything else, the continuity of a thousand-year-old winemaking tradition and our deep connection to the land.”
Photo Credit: Psagot Winery
Tradition, terroir, and expertise wafted from each glass of the three Psagot wines I tasted.
Refreshing and delicious was 2023 Psagot Sauvignon Blanc ($32) with grapes from the Jerusalem Mountains. On the nose I found lemons, limes, citrus, freshly cut grass, and slightest hint of bananas. Mouthwatering on the palate, bright citrus and stone fruit were punctuated with racy acidity and minerality.
2023 Psagot Edom ($50) is a Bordeaux style red blend from a selection of Bordeaux grape varietals grown in the Judean Mountains at 900 meters above sea level. I found expressions of minerality from start to finish in this bold wine along with rich black and red fruit, cedar and dried herbs. Refined and elegant, Psagot Edom was aged in French oak for 12 months.
As a bow to the Mediterranean, 2021 Psagot Peak ($40) was a luscious red blend of French varietals, Syrah and Petit Syrah, that also thrive in Israel. I noted texture and complex layers of pepper, dark chocolate, dried flowers and herbs, blackberries and dark plum on a foundation of fresh acidity and tannic structure. Psagot Peak was aged for 12 months in French oak and has the ability to age for many more years.
Psagot Winery boasts not only a beautifully appointed tasting room, but a patisserie with mouthwatering selections, stunning event space, organic gardens, a home décor and furniture shop, vintage wedding dress store, and hand harvested clothing shop with a unique collection of worldwide finds. If a trip to Psagot Winery is not on the list for now, find these wines in fine liquor stores in the United States. L’Chaim!
Cheers, Cindy
Are you ready to walk into the wine shop and easily find the bottle you want? This course is for you! Enroll now in my online wine education course, Discover the Essentials of Wine (and choose it like a pro!) available on Teachable.
Click HERE for information and to join the community.
