October 26th and 27th, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6:30pm to Midnight in Ra’anana Park (Lev HaPark) on the west side (near the pond and cafe).

The festival costs only 60 NIS, which includes a collectable wine glass and all the wine you can taste!!!

It’s 55 NIS for Ra’anana residents (bring your ID showing your address for your discount) but the festival is expected to draw people in from the whole Sharon region (Hod HaSharon, Kfar Saba, Petach Tikva, and more).

The festival will feature dozens of Israeli wineries big and small including Barkan, Teperberg, Segal, Lavi, Eden, Kahonof, Domaine Ventura, Dede, Rota, Kfir, Negev, Yaffo, Hakerem, Galai, Ptura, Aligote, Nativ Hayian, Rimon, Alexander, Or Ganuz, Gvaot and Shamiam. More wineries are still signing up every day

There will be live entertainment each evening including Ronit Chen on Wednesday singing sweet Jazz and Soul, and onThursday night vocalist Liora will be singing the classic melodies of Mercedes Sosa. The Jazz Choir of Yoni Shaham will also be performing.

Besides the wine and music, there will be tobacco stands, gourmet cheeses and chocolates, smoked meats and olive oils offered at special prices to enjoy during the evening, whether to enjoy during the festival or to take home

Wines available for tasting will also be available for sale at special festival prices.

Many of the winemakers will be present to discuss their wines.

Thousands are expected to attend over the two evenings on what promises to be a great night out at a bargain price.

Festival organizer Sagi Epstein has held several wine festivals before in Beer Sheva and Rishon Lezion, and so he’s experienced at hosting a fun and hospitable evening with a lot of bang for your buck.

The 15th Annual Israel Wine Fair
September 21st, 22nd
Eretz Museum
Ramat Aviv
59 NIS

Ra’anana Wine Festival
October 26th & 27th
Park Ra’anana
60 NIS

Judean Hill Wineries
various events all November
starting November 3rd
Kibbutz Tzora & elsewhere

It was a very moving evening for the Israeli wine industry. They came together as one to salute Daniel Rogov, who has recently been in ill health. Winemakers and growers, wine journalists and wine lovers, restaurateurs and chefs. They gathered to pay tribute to the legendary wine & food critic, who has bestrode the Israel wine & culinary scene for thirty years.

The idea for the event was the brainwave of Eldad Levy, an importer of Champagne and Austrian wines and wine writer for the food & beverage magazine, Al Hashulchan. He passed the idea onto Tal Gal Cohen, president of Chaines des Rotisseurs and owner of the website www.israelwines.co.il. The event was held in the Dan Panorama, kindly arranged by Haim Spiegel, the overall Food & Beverage Director of the Dan Group.

Meni Peer was the distinguished compere of the evening. He is a famous television personality, a veteran wine writer and editor of Israel’s main wine magazine, Wine, Gourmet and Alcohol. Television crews and cameramen added to the atmosphere and sense of occasion.

All the main figures of the Israeli wine industry, past and present, were there to pay their respects. It was said there was never an occasion that so many of Israel’s wineries were represented under one roof.

Daniel Rogov began to write on food and wine in Israel in 1982. Eventually he became a ‘wine and food critic’. (Note the change in order.) He began with the Jerusalem Post and then moved to the Haaretz newspaper. He is the author of a number of food books, but lately is best known for Rogov’s Guide To Israeli Wines and Rogov’s Guide To Kosher Wines, both published annually.

He consults for Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book and wrote the section on Israel  for Tom Stevenson’s Wine Report. He also runs a wine discussion forum, which has an international following. He has charted the wine and culinary revolutions in Israel over the last thirty years. Quite apart from this, he is a much loved personality and a raconteur with a story for every occasion. How much loved, he would find out when he attended the tribute in his honor.

When the lights went down and Daniel Rogov entered the banqueting hall to the sound of Sinatra’s ‘I did it my way’ in the background, everyone stood up to a man. The applause lasted until he reached the table in front of the stage and sat down.

Meni Peer opened the proceedings and gave some brief anecdotes and classic Rogov quotes. He explained that Rogov made aliyah (immigrated) to Israel in 1976 from New York, and that 1976 was a special year for Israeli wine. Peer explained it was the year of the legendary Carmel Special Reserve 1976, which was born as though in his honor. It was also the important year that vineyards were first planted on the Golan Heights.

There were two speakers on behalf of the Israel wine industry, Adam Montefiore and Victor Schoenfeld and two representing the Israeli world of gastronomy, Shalom Maharovsky and Eyal Shani.

First there was a video message made by Jay Buchsbaum, vice president of Royal Wine Corp. He had wanted to fly over, but was kept in America because of Hurricane Irene. It was fitting that the world’s largest importer and distributor of kosher wines would send a message to the world’s leading critic of kosher wines.

Tal Gal Cohen, the prime organizer, then read out personal messages to Daniel from some of the world’s most famous wine writers and critics. This very distinguished list included:

Howard Goldberg of the New York Times, and Decanter.

Hugh Johnson, author of The Wine Atlas, Wine Companion & Pocket Wine Book.

Mark Squires, the Israel specialist of the Wine Advocate.

Tom Stevenson, author of the Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia & editor of The Wine Report.

Serena Sutcliffe MW, head of the Sotheby’s Wine Department.

A witty letter from Howard Goldberg referred to Rogov as the ‘Israeli Robert Parker,’ whereas Tom Stevenson described him as an ‘Israeli Hugh Johnson’.

The warmth, respect and how well he is regarded by his international peers, was clearly in evidence from the messages.

Adam Montefiore, wine development director of Carmel Winery, was the first of the main speakers. He told of how he has known Rogov since 1990. He explained Rogov was the first proper wine critic in Israel, who set all the standards. He called him the architect of wine culture in Israel and a great ambassador of Israeli wine worldwide.

Victor Schoenfeld, chief winemaker of the Golan Heights Winery, said that Rogov was the first to develop a proper language for describing wine and reminisced about some of his early meetings with him.

Shalom Maharovsky, owner of the celebrated Mul Yam Restaurant in Tel Aviv, told two anecdotes with characteristic humor centered around Rogov, the personality.

The final guest speaker was the celebrity  TV chef,  Eyal Shani. He explained how Rogov’s use of words helped him understand wine. He explained he learnt a great deal from Rogov and thanked him for it.

Eldad Levy then gave a witty presentation of Daniel Rogov using existing video footage. This caused a great deal of amusement, especially when Rogov was compared to the food critic in the film ‘Ratatouille.’

The final curtain was a video greeting from Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV. It was clear that Vaynerchuk greatly respected Rogov. Of course Rogov had appeared on one of his shows in the not too distant past.

After some brief words of thanks from Rogov himself, there was another standing ovation, again to the strains of ‘My Way’. Then the principals of the Israeli wine world lined up, like at the entrance to a wedding, to hug, kiss and convey the love and affection they felt for a very special man.

Thank you Daniel Rogov for all you have done for Israeli wine and food. Thank you for being the great personality you are. You have had a great effect on the Israeli wine industry in particular and your knowledge, love of wine and humor has touched wine lovers everywhere! Wines-israel salutes you!

Close to three decades of Rogov’s writing weekly newspaper columns of wine and restaurant reviews and more recently yearly guides brought both attention and reflection on Israel as an emerging wine region and culinary destination into today when Israel has become accepted as a region that has come of age by the international food and wine press. Britain’s Hugh Johnson, who publishes the world’s best selling international wine guide, and Mark Squires, who writes about Israeli wines for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, both sent their praise for the most prolific writer about Israeli and kosher wines. America’s most popular and influential wine enthusiast, Gary Vaynerchuk, sent a video tribute, mentioning his affection for Daniel who had appeared on Gary’s Daily Grape video podcast while visiting the United States. Jay Buschbaum, of Kedem wines (the largest importer of Israeli wines into the United States) also sent his regrets for not attending (Hurricane Irene was to blame) and his appreciation for how Rogov’s reviews were critical to Israeli wines gaining acceptance in Israel’s largest overseas marketplace.

Adam Montefiore, who as spokesman for now Carmel and previously the Golan Heights Winery and as an unofficial ambassador for Israeli wine, has known Daniel for decades also took to the stage to impart kind words about a fellow Anglo immigrant whose substantial contribution to Israeli wine was needed if not always appreciated in the moment by wineries who came into Daniel’s focus. Also from Carmel were winemaker Lior Laxer and CEO Israel Ivzan and sister boutique winery Yatir’s laudable winemaker Eran Goldwasser. Carmel’s 2008 Single Vineyard Kayoumi Shiraz was one of the special treats served throughout the evening.

American born and trained Victor Schoenfeld, the winemaker of the Golan Heights Winery for the last twenty years, spoke eloquently about how his and Rogov’s career had mirrored each others for so many years and how Israeli wine had no better advocate and champion during the years it transformed itself from a region associated with making religious sacramental wines to the region it is today noted for making a wide selection of quality wines in different styles and from dozens of grape varietals. Tal Sendovski, Golan Height’s winemaker in charge of research and Israel’s first woman winemaker (since 1989), was also at Victor’s table. Boutique winemakers Uri Hetz of Chateau Golan and Tal Pelter of the Pelter Winery also made the drive down from the Golan Heights for the occasion.

From the Barkan Winery, another of Israel’s women winemakers Irit Boxer was present representing Israel’s second largest winery. Barkan’s Altitude 412 Cabernet Sauvignon and their Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve also filled a lot of glasses throughout the evening. Winemaker Na’ama Sorkin of the Galilee’s Dalton Winery, whose wines have been winning more and more favorable reviews from Daniel, joined Roni Saslove of the Saslove Winery and Illana Rabau of the Alona Winery as other “daughters of the vine” in attendance. Roni’s father winemaker Barry and mother Nili also represented their family winery with several vineyards most notably their Kadita vineyard. Tsina Avidan from the increasingly heralded Avidan Winery, a neighbor of the Saslove Winery, filled in the mix of Israel’s women winemakers who came to applaud their most ardent suitor, well at least of their wines.

And if one mentions the Kadita vineyard, no discussion would be complete without mentioning the Margalit Winery, Israel’s first boutique winery going back to 1989. Margalit has been a perennial favorite of Rogov’s going back to when Ya’ir Margalit founded Israel’s first boutique winery. Ya’ir’s son Assaf Margalit, who took over in 2000 as senior winemaker took an evening off from what is a slightly delayed harvest this vintage as the summer has been unseasonably temperate. Ya’ir was also the first winemaker at the Tishbi Winery, and it’s present winemaker, Golan Tishbi, the winemaker since 2000 also came to pay his respect from Israel’s largest family owned and operated winery.

When one mentions Margalit, often Domaine du Castel is also mentioned as a friendly rival and the Ben Zaken family was present with affable and soft spoken founder Eli one of the many well reviewed winemakers showing their appreciation to a man who showed his appreciation for Castel wines in print for years. South African born Paul Dubb, the former viticulturalist of the Castel Winery and the present winemaker of the up and coming Tzuba Winery came into Tel Aviv from the Judean Hills as well as vineyard pioneer Prof. Ben-Ami Bravdo and his daughter Hadar from Karmei Yosef’s Bravdo Winery.

Additionally, the winemakers from Binyamina (Sasson Ben Aharon & Asaf Paz), Vitkin (Doron & Sharona Belogolovsky), Clos de Gat, Ramat Naftali (Yitzhak Cohen), Galil Mountain, (Micha Vaadia), Recanati (Gil Shatzberg & Ido Lewinsohn) Seahorse (Zeev Dunie), Teperberg (Shlomo Rauchberger), Psagot (Josh Hexter), La Terra Promessa (Sandro Pellegreni) and the whole Flam Winery family ( Golan, Gilad, Israel, Gefen…) helped round out what was touching affair. As well, dozens of employees from many of the wineries , from CEO’s and marketing managers to sommeliers and office staff who have had occasion to host Daniel over the years also came to show their reverence for both the man and the industry he covered in his critiques. Several of Israel’s most famous chef’s and foodies were also in tow including Alon Gonen as well as many of Daniel’s peers in wine media, from print, radio and the internet including the tribute’s celebrity host Meni Peer.

Rogov, as he likes to call himself, was visibly moved by the turnout, the kind words and anecdotes offered and spoke briefly but poignantly at the end of the tribute with many of those attending staying late to commune with Daniel as the event came to a close. Even though over the years, those in attendance haven’t always agreed with each and every one of Daniel’s reviews, all agree on his influence and impact in an industry that they hold dear and many acknowledge the role he played in their wines or cooking gaining popularity.  As you might imagine, those who he had consistently panned over the years were less visible in the audience. A case of sour grapes I guess which is after all what Rogov was trying to help us avoid all these years he’s been writing.

El Al, Israel’s national airline, submitted wines to the annual wine tasting organized by the Global Traveler, along with 28 other international airlines. The competition was for wines served to First Class & Business Class passengers.

To the surprise of those present, an Israeli wine was declared the winner of the category for ‘International First Class White Wines’, finishing ahead of German, French and Californian wines. The winning wine was Carmel Winery’s Appellation Gewurztraminer 2009. It was described as “the outstanding white wine.” The Global Traveller reports: “It was a wine heaped with praise as spicy, expressive, and thinking it was from the grape’s homeland, ‘Alsace at its best.’“

The Appellation Gewurztraminer 2009 was made 100% from Gewurztraminer grapes grown in the Upper Galilee. The wine was harvested early and cold fermented to preserve the unique Gewurztraminer aromas. The wine is off dry and aromatic, with an aroma of lychee, rose petal and a touch of sweetness, but also has a good, refreshing acidity.

Carmel’s Appellation label is for regional wines, which offer an expression of varietal flavors from specific sub regions. The wines are distinguished by their attractive labels featuring a variety of fauna from Biblical Israel, in hand drawn cartoon style. The Gewurztraminer may be recognized by a desert fox on the label. Carmel Winery, founded in 1882 by the Rothschild family, is the historic winery of Israel offering wines which range from the prestigious Carmel Limited Edition, one of Israel’s finest wines, to Selected, Israel’s largest selling brand.

The competition, which is organized annually, is called: ‘Wines on the Wing’. A panel of no less than 31 judges tasted and rated the wines served by international airlines.

Apart from El Al, the airlines taking part included: Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, Delta, IIberian Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, South African Airways, Virgin etc. The tasting was held at the Academia di Vino on Third Avenue in Manhattan, New York.

Congratulations to El Al and Carmel Winery!

The event will be held on Monday, August 29 at the Tel Aviv Dan Panorama Hotel beginning at 19:00.

The below information is from Wines Israel

The world of wine and culinary world will show their appreciation to Daniel Rogov, in a special evening organized for the celebrated wine & food writer and critic.

The event will take place at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Tel Aviv, on August 29th 2011 and will start at 19.00 hours.

This will be followed by a panel of friends chaired by wine expert and TV personality, Meni Peer.
The cost of the evening will be NIS 100, with payment at the entrance.

To register by email, please contact.

Here is the details from Daniel Rogov’s forum:

The 5th Annual Beer Sheva wine festival is scheduled to take place on Wednesday and Thursday, 14 and 15 September. Among the wineries scheduled to take part: Carmel, Bakan, Segal, Golan Heights Winery, Galil Mountain, Tzion, Teperberg, Lavie, Binyamina, Tishbi, Shiloh, Rota, Cfir, Netiv HaYain, Assif, Yaffo, Kahanov, Yaffo, Tsfat HaAttika, Tisbi, Saslove.

The festival will take place at the Negev Museum, both indoors and out. Also to be shown, chocolates, cheeses, baked goods ….

The festival will open each night at 18:30. Admission, including a tasting glass will be NIS 50 each. In general, a quite civil and civilized event, well worth attending for those in the region.

In this episode of Rusty Mike Radio, David Rhodes gives a preview of the 2011 Jerusalem Wine Festival in the Israel Museum.

Listen here: David Rhodes discusses the Jerusalem Wine Festival on Rusty Mike Radio