the holiday presents an abundance of opportunities to both drink various wines during the family meals and also visit wineries and participate in various activities
Sukkot has always been one of my favorite holidays and as I grew older, I realized that the holiday presents an abundance of opportunities to both drink various wines during the family meals and also visit wineries and participate in various activities. Also known as the Festival of Booths and the Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot is a seven-day harvest holiday that arrives during the Hebrew month of Tishrei. By Sukkot time, the grape harvest is usually still in process and the vines still have grapes on them.
Many wineries run special events and activities, inviting wine aficionados and families from across the country to visit the winery and participate in a different wine & culture related experiences.
The Bravdo winery’s visitor’s center at Karmey Yosef is one of the most picturesque in the country and Sukkot is an excellent opportunity to visit, taste the wines, pick up a bottle or two and head out for a romantic picnic in the area. The winery will be hosting guided wine tastings throughout the holiday and I highly recommend trying their new Chardonnay and the Coupage blend. For reservations contact Hadar - 050-2207022. NIS 40
The Tulip Winery in Kiryat Tivon will also be holding wine tastings and guided tours of the winery along with explanations about the wine production process, grape growing and the winery’s unique collaboration with residents of Kfar Tikva who work at the Tulip Winery. The winery has been Kosher since 2009-10 so by now, most of the wines on the market are kosher. Open 9:00-15:00 over the holiday– no reservation required. Free of charge.
The Recanati Winery situated in the Hefer Velley will be open throughout the holiday and invites guests to a guided tour of the winery and barrel room followed by wine tastings. Try the winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon offering excellent value for money and also the Syrah-Viognier from the reserve label. Opening hours are 9:00-16:00 weekdays and 9:00-12:30 on the holiday evening. For reservations call - 04-6222288. NIS 15
The Golan Heights Winery will be holding a special wine & Flamenco music event at the winery’s visitor’s center in Katzrin. On the 28th of September, starting at 21:00, the event will feature renowned Flamenco artist Jose Tanaka and guitar craftsman and musician Boaz Elkayam - tickets are available at - 04-6968435. NIS 50
La Terra Promessa (The promised land) winery on Kibbutz Gat will be offering a special Italian-Indian lunch menu featuring various wines from the winery. For reservations call - 050-5684775. NIS 110
Har Bracha Winery offers a choice between wine tastings (NIS 15) and also the option of including a 45 minute tour to the vineyards (for an additional NIS 15). Open weekdays 9:00-18:00 and 9:00-14:00 on the holiday evening. For reservations call - 052-5775156
As you may know, there are three major traditions associated with Sukkot: building a sukkah, eating in the sukkah and waving the lulav and etrog. I hope that next year, we will all add drinking wine in the sukkah to the list.
Enjoy!
