Stephanie Caros
October 15, 2021
Anyone who knows me also knows that if there’s one thing that I love to enjoy, it’s a good glass of kosher wine. And what better way to enjoy a glass than at a quaint winery in Gush Etzion! Or, at least, this is what I said to my husband as I drug him there for a tour and wine tasting. You immediately get into the “feel” of the wine tasting experience before you even walk through the doors of the Gush Etzion Winery. Rows and rows of grape vines greet you as you walk up the gravel pathway to the facility. Once inside, prepare yourself for a highly informative tour complete with a peek into the grape processing facility. Do you know the difference between white wine and red wine in its origin and processing? If you don’t (we didn’t), you will by the time your tour is over! We were utterly fascinated as we watched the wine making process and our guide, Hillel, explained it all to us.
Just as you’ve packed your brain with all kinds of wine making knowledge, the tour guide announces that it’s time for the main course: five types of wine to try (and if you’ve bought the deluxe package a delectable tray of cheese, fruit, and focaccia bread). Each sampling of wine is served with just the right amount of explanation. As someone who thought I knew a good deal about wine before this trip, I found I had a lot to learn. This learning experience is particularly unique for persons (like me) whose previous wine tasting experiences have all been in the United States. While at Gush Etzion Winery, I found that there is something so indescribably special and spiritually potent about delving into the world of Israeli wines and the links that wine has to the Torah.
Now, let’s get into the tasting! The range of wine they have to offer is incredible! From the red wine that includes a blend of four different varieties, to the smoothest white wine I have ever tasted, our experience really did a great job of showcasing some of the finest wines in the area. Gush Etzion Winery also offers a multitude of different blends and varieties including a rose` or two and one of my personal favorites: sauvignon blanc. I guess you could say there is a wine for every glass. But, just in case wine isn’t as much of your focus as it is mine, Gush Etzion Winery also has a delicious dairy restaurant (Mehadrin) that we checked out during our trip. The menu consists of a wide array of choices ranging from breakfast dishes to pizzas to all of the delightfully fun appetizers you can dream of in between. In short, there really is something for everyone. Once we stuffed ourselves full of delicious food and bought a couple of bottles to take with us, we waved goodbye to the beautiful vineyard and the hospitable staff and were on our way home. Now we can’t wait to get back for another delicious and inviting trip!
L’chaim!
