DOCSLIB.ORG

Dan Savery Raz, Author of Lonely Planet's Israel & the Palestinian

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Dan Savery Raz, Author of Lonely Planet's Israel & the Palestinian ISRAEL Dan Savery Raz, author of Lonely Planet’s Israel & the Palestinian Territories, samples the sweet taste of Haifa and the Carmel Mountains in Israel or many, Israel means the Holy No visit to Haifa is complete without a trip City of Jerusalem, the mud to the Bahá’í Gardens and Temple. One of spas of the Dead Sea or biblical the most beautiful gardens in the world, FBethlehem. Yet, away from the Bahá’í is as close as Israel gets to Eden. With stereotypes and global headlines, there is over half a million visitors a year, the Bahá’í so much more to this tiny, diverse country. Gardens - a one km staircase of nineteen And Haifa - Israel’s third largest city - makes terraces, gently scaling the northern slope a surprisingly relaxing base from which of Mount Carmel - is one of the most to explore the rustic north’s world-class popular sites in the Middle East. The wineries, art galleries and national parks. golden-domed Shrine of the Báb, a glorious temple built with Italian stone and Dutch Just over an hour north by car or train tiles in the 1950’s, sits in the middle of the from Tel Aviv airport, Haifa emerges gardens and dominates from every angle. from the forest hills of Mount Carmel, framed by the glistening Mediterranean The Shrine marks the resting place of Sea. Often overshadowed by Tel Aviv and Báb (meaning ‘gate’), the spiritual founder Jerusalem, Haifa is an extraordinary city of the Bahá’í Faith, who was executed in in its own right: an industrial, medical and Persia in 1850 for his ‘heretical’ teachings. technological hub, that’s The Bahá’í Faith, one also home to a wealth of the world’s youngest of museums, temples “Haifa emerges from religions, is based on the and hillside havens. the forest hills of unity of humanity and Mount Carmel, framed comes from the Arabic Haifa’s port, the biggest by the glistening word baha (‘glory’). Bahá’í and busiest in the country, Mediterranean Sea.” now has over six million is the gateway for Israel’s followers worldwide, but commerce. But it wasn’t people from all faiths always this way. Historically, nearby Akko make the pilgrimage up the 1,700 steps, was favoured over Haifa as the main port, past cascading fountains, to the Shrine. for almost two thousand years. When the Crusaders conquered in 1100 AD, Haifa nother popular pilgrimage is to became an important town, but it later Elijah’s Cave, a small domed fell to pirates and degenerated during chapel on the slopes of Mount Hotel. The museum, founded by Felix the Mameluke and Ottoman periods. In ACarmel, where it is said that Tikotin in 1957, is dedicated to purely the 1920s, British engineer Sir Frederick the Prophet Elijah lived and taught. The Japanese art and exhibits everything Palmer stated that Haifa’s deep waters cave is situated below the Stella Maris from 14th-century Buddhist scrolls to and natural secluded bay made it the Carmelite Monastery, with its exquisite pottery, metal work and new animation. perfect place for large industrial shipping Basilica and painted ceiling depicting the and the port was officially opened in chariots of fire ascending into heaven. The After a long day of sight-seeing, the 1933. The city hasn’t looked back since. Monastery can be reached by climbing the Carmel Forest Spa Resort - Israel’s slopes by foot or taking the free cable car. largest luxury spa - is the perfect place Today, Haifa has come to symbolize to recuperate. Set in 15 acres of private modern multiculturalism: religious and Directly below the cascading Bahá’í woodland around 20 minutes’ drive secular Jews, Christians, Muslims and Gardens lies the ‘German Colony’, a string from the downtown Haifa, this secluded Druze Arabs intermingle on Haifa’s of boutique shops, cafés and restaurants resort offers dozens of health and beauty streets. Perhaps, the most visible sign of lining the promenade of Ben-Gurion treatments, yoga workshops and gourmet this cultural mix is Wadi Nisnas, a bustling Boulevard. For a touch of the Far East in cuisine. Alternatively Villa Carmel, marketplace where Hanukkah, Christmas the Middle East, visit the Tikotin Museum undoubtedly Haifa’s most prestigious and Ramadan are celebrated together. of Japanese Art, next to the Dan Carmel hotel, is within walking distance of the city 56 COX & KINGS Bahá’í Gardens and Temple, Haifa centre. Originally built in the 1940’s (and some of the best houmous in the region. in 1882 by a small group of immigrants from recently renovated), the Villa was the hotel Romania led by the Rothschild family. The of choice for Haifa’s aristocracy, and Israel’s It’s worth taking a short detour to the hill- name Zichron Ya’akov (meaning Jacob’s first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. side artist settlement of Ein Hod, which Memorial) was given by Baron Edmond was founded in 1950 by the Dadaist James de Rothschild in memory of his late aifa is ideally situated for painter Marcel Janco, and is home to the father. Today, Zichron still exudes an air of day trips around the north Janco-Dada Museum. This picturesque extravagance, its upscale villas resplendent of Israel. 15 km south of the village is an art-lover’s paradise, and in the southern Carmel hillside. Hcity is Daliyat al-Karmel, you can buy unique pieces straight from the largest Druze village in Israel. The a studio or simply stroll around the The original Carmel Winery was built in Druze - a separatist Arabic community numerous small galleries. 1882 and continues to living in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel “One of the most make award-winning wine - began life as an off-shoot of Islam and Israel’s best-known beautiful gardens in in Zichron. The largest are widely considered to be a peaceful wineries can be found 35 the world, Bahá’í is winery in Israel in terms people. The main street in Daliyat al- km south of Haifa in the of grapes received at Karmel is lined with shops selling quaint hilltop town of as close as Israel harvest, Carmel produces Arabian rugs, jewellery and also serves Zichron Ya’akov, founded gets to Eden…” 15 million bottles a year www.coxandkings.co.uk 57 Dor beach, Israel Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery, Israel 58 NationalCOX park, & CaesareaKINGS Zichron, Israel Carmel Forest Spa Resort as well as unique blends of olive oil. The beaches. The idyllic Dor Beach is set newly opened Carmel Wine & Culture on a quiet bay near the ruins of an Centre includes a wine shop, bistro, and two ancient harbour, where fishing boats specialist tasting rooms, as well as running bob on the waves and small islands wine workshops in the are only a short wade ISRAEL Rothschild’s underground “Elijah’s Cave - away. The neighbouring cellars. with its exquisite Habonim Nature Reserve FACT BOx Basilica and painted makes for a delightfully Location: The Levant area of the Middle Further down Zichron’s ceiling depicting scenic, coastal walk, and East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, main pedestrian street, is a bird-spotters delight Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt the Tishbi Cafe has an the chariots of fire amongst the sand dunes Population: 7.5 million outdoor terrace, where ascending into heaven” and protected rocky coves. Languages: Hebrew, Arabic & English wine enthusiasts can Time: GMT + 2 hours sample the range of aromatic, fruity wines ten-minute drive south of Money: Israeli Shekel (NIS or ILS) (bring a bottle and have it refilled with Zichron leads to the Roman currently 5.82 to £1 the excellent house wine). The Tishbi ruins of Caesarea. This When to go: Spring and autumn are the Cafe also sells delicious wine jams such as impressive national park Dor beach, Israel A best times for sightseeing. ‘Cherry Shiraz’ and ‘Strawberry Merlot’ houses the well-preserved ruins of a Where to stay: There’s a range of made at its winery just out of town. harbour settlement: its labyrinthine white luxury hotels in Jerusalem. The King fortress walls, arches and giant pillars are David Jerusalem Hotel, is one of Israel’s Opposite the Tishbi Cafe, the Aaronsohn complemented by the deep blue of the most famous, steeped in history and NILI Museum houses a collection of Mediterranean Sea. Named after Augustus bursting with character. Alternatively, exotic plants. This small but nonetheless Caesar, this large port city was built by the Mamilla Hotel is one of the city’s fascinating museum also tells the story Herod around 30 BC and eventually newest and most stylish places to stay. of NILI, the resistance movement who became the headquarters of Roman fought alongside the British against the Palestine. The most outstanding site at What not to miss: Visit King Herod’s Ottoman Empire during World War I. Caesarea is the huge U-shaped Herodian mountain palace at Masada. amphitheatre, traditionally used for chariot Best meal: Tel Aviv’s colourful farmers’ espite its turbulent history, races, gladiatorial and animal combats to market each Friday, is full of tasty local Zichron is now one of the the delight of some 10,000 spectators. produce and pastries. most serene spots in Israel. These days the ancient theatre plays host Insider tip: Tel Aviv, also known as The sound of wind chimes and to less gruesome events, including classical D the ‘white city’, has been designated the occasional flamenco guitarist coming music concerts and a lively jazz festival. a UNESCO World Heritage Site for from a cafe balcony fill the town an almost its large number of Bauhaus style dreamlike quality.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • DISCOVERING ISRAELI WINES Israwinexpo the 3Rd International Wine Exhibition
    w i n e DISCOVERING ISRAELI WINES IsraWineXpo The 3rd International Wine Exhibition Tel Aviv as seen from Jaffa Article and photos by W.C. Enoteca The word conjures up childhood Levant date back to 8000 B.C., with the first recorded Israel. images of the Holy Land and movies vineyard planted by Noah in 2000 B.C. I had seen showing dessert-like terrains. My first Israel’s wine industry further evolved thanks to a three- and recent trip to this impressive country showed me fold revolution which began with the founding of the another side altogether. As the plane landed in Tel modern Israel wine industry when Baron Edmond de Aviv I marveled at the surrounding greenery. In fact, I Rotschild, owner of Chateau Lafite founded Carmel was told that such verdant and fertile lands extend for Winery in 1882. The second phase ‘the quality hundreds of kms. north of the city. revolution’ was led by Golan Heights Winery, founded Although I was eager to see and learn more about in 1983, that applied the newest technology both in this fascinating country, the primary reason for my the vineyards and winemaking sectors. The third took visit was to attend IsraWinexpo 2010 and familiarize place in the 1990s, when the country’s wine market myself with Israeli wines. came of age with an eruption of boutique wineries, wine imports and stores that also led to ‘wine tourism’. Winemaking in Israel Israel devotes about 12,350 acres to vineyards, the Israeli winemaking began in the triangle that soils for which can range from volcanic in the north, encompasses the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Terra Rossa on the coast, chalk and limestone on the Sea of Galillee.
    [Show full text]
  • Made in Israel: Agricultural Exports from Occupied Territories
    Agricultural Made in Exports from Israel Occupied Territories April 2014 Agricultural Made in Exports from Israel Occupied Territories April 2014 The Coalition of Women for Peace was established by bringing together ten feminist peace organizations and non-affiliated activist women in Israel. Founded soon after the outbreak of the Second Intifada in 2000, CWP today is a leading voice against the occupation, committed to feminist principles of organization and Jewish-Palestinian partnership, in a relentless struggle for a just society. CWP continuously voices a critical position against militarism and advocates for radical social and political change. Its work includes direct action and public campaigning in Israel and internationally, a pioneering investigative project exposing the occupation industry, outreach to Israeli audiences and political empowerment of women across communities and capacity-building and support for grassroots activists and initiatives for peace and justice. www.coalitionofwomen.org | [email protected] Who Profits from the Occupation is a research center dedicated to exposing the commercial involvement of Israeli and international companies in the continued Israeli control over Palestinian and Syrian land. Currently, we focus on three main areas of corporate involvement in the occupation: the settlement industry, economic exploitation and control over population. Who Profits operates an online database which includes information concerning companies that are commercially complicit in the occupation. Moreover, the center publishes in-depth reports and flash reports about industries, projects and specific companies. Who Profits also serves as an information center for queries regarding corporate involvement in the occupation – from individuals and civil society organizations working to end the Israeli occupation and to promote international law, corporate social responsibility, social justice and labor rights.
    [Show full text]
  • Land of Creation ORTRA Ltd
    Land of Creation ORTRA Ltd. 1 Nirim Street, Tel-Aviv 6109202, Israel Tel. +972 3 638 44 54 Fax. +972 3 638 44 55 Email : [email protected] WWW.ORTRA.COM Excursions INDEX 2015-2016 Israel’s Wonders 4 - 10 Discover the Cultures 11 - 17 From Jerusalem to Petra 18 - 23 Wine & Culture 24 - 30 Incentive Program 31 - 34 Active Incentives 35 - 38 ISRAEL’S WONDERS 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS DAY 1 WELCOME TO ISRAEL Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, you will be met by an Ortra representative before transferring to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in the Tel Aviv area DAY 2 TEL AVIV / JAFFA Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Bauhaus quarter - “The White City” - a unique urban and historical fabric of Tel Aviv which has been proclaimed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. The visit continues on to Neve Tzedek, a picturesque village in the new city and the first quarter of Tel Aviv to be built outside of Jaffa. Lunch at a restaurant Afternoon in Jaffa, the oldest port in the world and inspiration for prophets, poets and legends as well as the scene of triumph for Pharaoh Thutmose III, Alexander the 1st, and Napoleon Bonaparte. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Tel Aviv 5 DAY 3 CAESAREA / HAIFA / ACRE After breakfast, we will drive north along the coast to scenic Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the Holy Land. Here we will explore its excavated Roman harbor, amphitheater and Crusader fortress. Our tour continues to the Lower Galilee, where we will stop in Haifa, the greatest harbor of Israel, with its breathtaking panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Western Galilee from the summit of Mount Carmel.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the New Israeli Wine Guide
    1 The New Israeli Wine Guide Yair Gath, Gal Zohar The New Israeli Wine Guide March 2014 2 The New Israeli Wine Guide Table of contents: 3 Preface 4 Introduction by Mr. Adam Montefiore 5-6 Bordeaux blends 7-8 Other blends 9 Other red varietals 10-11 Mediterranean varietals and blends 12 Syrah 13-14 Cabernet Sauvignon 15 Sauvignon Blanc 16-17 Chardonnay 18-19 Other white varietals 20-24 List of wineries 3 The New Israeli Wine Guide Hello, Welcome to the first full edition of The New Israeli Wine Guide. After tasting more than 300 wines from the top 100 wineries in Israel, we assembled a list of The Best 70 Wines of Israel. All the wines were tasted double blind, to ensure impartial and completely objective notes and scores. Some of the wines are kosher, and some aren’t. Most of the wines are available outside Israel. The guide is divided to nine categories, each presents the wines won the highest scores in their category. Information about the wineries is available at the end of the guide, with a few descriptive words on each winery penned by us. We would like to thank everyone who helped us bring this mission to completion; the wineries, the messengers, the truck drivers, friends who supported us, those who followed on the social networks, the lucky few who tasted with us, the designer Ron Yadlin, the Hebrew editor Efrat Jeropy and the English editor Assaf Dudai. Hope you’ll enjoy it, at least as much as we did. Gal Zohar & Yair Gat 4 The New Israeli Wine Guide ByIntroduction Adam Montefiore The New Israeli Wine Guide is a new initiative to rate Israeli wines.
    [Show full text]
  • CNCD Colonie EN:Layout 1
    «MADE IN ILLEGALITY»/ END ALL ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN BELGIUM AND THE ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS! TABLE OF 2/ CONTENTS/ “MADE IN ILLEGALITY”/ SUMMARY 3/ FOREWORD 5/ ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS ARE ILLEGAL 7/ A SETTLEMENT ENTERPRISE CONSOLIDATED BY ITS ECONOMY 8/ SETTLEMENTS STRENGTHENED BY TRADE WITH THE EU AND BELGIUM 10/ THE OBLIGATION OF NOT SUPPORTING THE SETTLEMENTS 12/ DEMANDS 14/ TERRITORY CAPTURED BY THE SETTLEMENTS/ Source: TPO – OCHA 2012 Areas cultivated, fenced in or guarded by the Israeli army Areas within settlements’ local and regional councils Green line Wall built or under construction Planned Wall ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS IN FIGURES – 250 Israeli settlements have been built on Occupied Palestinian Territory since 1967. – 530,000 settlers in the West Bank, of whom 200,000 are in East Jerusalem. – The settler population has more than doubled since the conclusion of the Oslo Accords in 1993. – 80% of the water resources in the Palestinian territory are captured by the settlers. An Israeli settler consumes 6 times more water than a Palestinian. – Each year, the Israeli government spends at least 330 million euros more in benefits for settlers than in benefits for citizens living in Israel. 3/ “Belgian law must ban the import of products from the settlements” “The ongoing trade between Belgium and European member states and the Israeli settlements strengthens the economy and territorial expansion of the settlements” « MADE IN ILLEGALITY »/ Belgium, the European Union and its other member states have a duty and responsibility to take measures to stop the settlements and occupation policy of the Palestinian Territory by Israel. The EU and Belgium regularly and unambiguously condemn Israel’s settlement policy.
    [Show full text]
  • Terroir and Territory on the Colonial Frontier: Making New-Old World Wine in the Holy Land1
    Comparative Studies in Society and History 2020;62(2):222–261. 0010-4175/20 # Society for the Comparative Study of Society and History 2020 doi:10.1017/S0010417520000043 Terroir and Territory on the Colonial Frontier: Making New-Old World Wine in the Holy Land1 DANIEL MONTERESCU Sociology and Social Anthropology, Central European University ARIEL HANDEL Minerva Humanities Center, Tel Aviv University It is hard to believe, but emerging regions that have had little impact on the wine world are forcing consumers to pay attention to a completely different part of the world. Awine epicenter that includes countries like Greece, Israel and Lebanon might look familiar to someone a couple of thousand years old, but it is certainly a new part of the wine world for the rest of us. ———Squires, Wine Advocate, 2008 1 Wine professionals quoted in this article have given their written consent to reveal their real names after receiving the transcriptions of respective interviews and conversations. The project was reviewed by the CEU ethical research committee and received final institutional endorsement in November 2014. Acknowledgements: This article has been fermenting and maturing for almost a decade. Following initial fieldwork in 2011 it was first presented at the conference “Mediterranean Criss-crossed and Constructed” at Harvard University. With age, it was presented in numerous venues in Israel/ Palestine, Europe, and North America. We are grateful to the Central European University for the research grant that made fieldwork possible, to the Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS CEU) and to the faculty and doctoral students of the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology there for insightful comments at its unripe stages.
    [Show full text]
  • The Conscious Collection a Virtual Fine Wine & Spirits Auction in Support of the Hospitality Industry
    powered and presented by THE CONSCIOUS COLLECTION A VIRTUAL FINE WINE & SPIRITS AUCTION IN SUPPORT OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY April 9, 2021 at 6PM ET sponsored by exclusive media partner Welcome to The Conscious Collection, a virtual fine wine and spirits auc- tion sponsored by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Vinous, Wine Spectator, and Zachys. Featuring Guy Fieri, Dave Portnoy and Antonio Galloni as our hosts, this auction will benefitThe Barstool Fund to provide much needed financial relief for hospitality businesses around the country that have been devastated by the prolonged impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This auction came together because we all have one thing in common: we love wine and spirits, and we love drinking them at our favorite restaurants and bars. This year, that’s been tough and we feel it is our responsibility to give back to the hospitality businesses that have given so much to us, and to the communities they serve. As a team, we called on the biggest names within and outside of the wine and spirits world to help us assemble what has truly become an unforgettable auction. Everyone we asked answered the call. Many of our generous partners stepped up to provide their best brands and unique offerings. There’s something in this auction for everyone, from fine wines and high-end spirits to one-of-a-kind celebrity experiences and exclusive wine dinners, and even experiences with hosts Guy Fieri and Dave Portnoy that are sure to make you Instagram famous. Due to the special nature of this auction, Zachys will not be collecting sales tax or a buyer’s premium.
    [Show full text]
  • Israel & the Palestinian Territories
    ©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Israel & the Palestinian Territories Upper Galilee & Golan p231 Haifa & the Lower Galilee & North Coast Sea of Galilee p156 p195 Tel Aviv- West Bank Jaffa (Yafo) p261 p112 Jerusalem p46 The Gaza The Dead Sea Strip p297 p292 The Negev p315 Petra (Jordan) p341 Daniel Robinson, Orlando Crowcroft, Anita Isalska, Dan Savery Raz, Jenny Walker PLAN YOUR TRIP ON THE ROAD Welcome to Israel & the JERUSALEM . 46 Netanya . 153 Palestinian Territories . 4 Around Jerusalem . 109 Ramla . 154 Israel & the Palestinian Territories Map . 6 Abu Ghosh . 109 Latrun . 110 HAIFA & THE Israel & the Palestinian Territories’ Top 20 . 8 Neot Kedumim . 110 NORTH COAST . 156 Need to Know . 18 Soreq Cave . 111 Haifa . 157 What’s New . 20 Beit Guvrin-Maresha Daliyat Al Karmel . 176 National Park . 111 If You Like… . 21 Carmelite Monastery of St Elijah . 177 Month by Month . 23 TEL AVIV- Ein Hod & Ayn Hawd . 177 Itineraries . 28 JAFFA (YAFO) . 112 Atlit . 179 Activities . 32 Around Tel Aviv . 151 Zichron Ya’akov . 180 Shabbat . 34 Gush Dan . 151 Mey Kedem . 182 Crossing Borders . 36 Herzliya . 151 Caesarea . 182 Travel with Children . 40 Holon . 152 Akko (Acre) . 185 Regions at a Glance . 42 DYZIO/SHUTTERSTOCK © DYZIO/SHUTTERSTOCK © EFESENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK ST CATHERINE’S CHURCH P269 DANIEL REINER /SHUTTERSTOCK © /SHUTTERSTOCK REINER DANIEL HUMMUS P380 WOMAN PREPARING FLATBREAD Contents UNDERSTAND Kibbutz Lohamei WEST BANK . 261 Israel & the HaGeta’ot . 191 Palestinian Bethlehem . .. 266 Nahariya . 192 Territories Today . 356 Ramallah . 274 History . 358 Taybeh . 278 LOWER GALILEE & Jericho . 279 People of Israel & SEA OF GALILEE . 195 the Palestinian Hebron . 282 Territories .
    [Show full text]
  • Israel Israel G
    cutiv exe e E Executive Israel I I T Israel s r r W u Included In Your Tour: a o e t l wine Wine Tour • Five Star Accommodations Let your spirits soar • All touring and entrance fees “Land Only” Packages Double occupancy $3695 • Meet your SIT representatives within the Single supplement + $995 arrivals terminal at Ben Gurion airport • One of Israel’s finest English-speaking licensed INCLUDES: tour educators (guides), who will be with you for the duration of the tour, giving insight into 5 STAR ACCOMMODATIONS this beautiful, spiritual land 5 nights at the Inbal Hotel, Jerusalem***** 2 nights at the Galei Kinneret Hotel, Tiberias***** • Deluxe air-conditioned, comfortable modern touring coach, with large GOURMET MEALS panoramic windows Daily Breakfast Buffet at each Hotel Israel Wine Tour Welcome Dinner & Wine 1868 Restaurant • Professional, safety conscious bus driver Executive r u o t Lubavitch of Bucks County of Bucks County Lubavitch Street 25 North State 18940 PA Newtown, e Darna Restaurant Moroccan Dinner e T v i n t i • Professional tour manager u c E e w x e Jerusalem Old City Shabbat Dinner l e W a I r Shabbat Lunch at the Inbal Hotel • Hotel taxes and porterage Is Dinner at Deck’s Steakhouse, Tiberias Makom B’Sejera Organic Restaurant • Hotel restaurant & airport porterage tips Farewell Dinner at Jems Brewery • Daily buffet breakfasts, five weekday dinners, October Shabbat dinner & lunch WINERY TOURS 8–15, Ella Valley Winery 2013 Agur Winery E Shilo Winery AR F R I Psagot Winery Lone Tree Brewery Not Included In Tour Package: Tishbi Winery • Airport taxes & security/fuel surcharges LUS A LUS Carmel Winery • Visa & border fees and Insurance P • Items of a purely personal nature Adir Winery • Tips ($135 per person) Suggested minimum.
    [Show full text]
  • Welcome I Hope You Are All Eager and Prepared
    Welcome I hope you are all eager and prepared to take a journey where few of you, I suspect, have been, vinously speaking! My interest in the Eastern Mediterranean stems from historical curiosity, a love of travel, and the knowledge that so much of I/we know of wine is predicated on a false understanding of where fine wine began.. Much of what we will cover today results from the research and travels for our book, Divine Vintage: Following the wine Trail from Genesis to the Modern Age. The middle east, particularly Turkey, Georgia and the Levant are the cradles of wine. While researching the book, it became very evident that today’s wines in the region represent the revival of millennia old traditions for quality, which were abandoned or forgotten in several places because of religious persecution, climate change, lost knowledge and poor economic/social conditions over the last 2 millennia. I contend that the resurgence of wine in places most people today have never considered (“I didn’t know they made wine in Washington?”) signifies a. economic resurgence; b. An effort to reconnect to the larger society and ‘civilization’ of the Mediterranean culture that evolved through Roman rule; c. reclamation by societies of their agricultural and socio-cultural heritage; and d. a portal by which those of us in the “west” can develop a better understanding and acceptance of those societies alienated from participation in the transition to modern cultural amenities and pleasures! Our journey today will hopefully pique your curiosity about the renaissance of fine wine-making where the grape was first domesticated and the technology of wine- growing was transmitted from across the Mediterranean basin.
    [Show full text]
  • Tasting the Wines of Israel; Our Other Wine Picks
    Tasting The Wines Of Israel; Our Other Wine Picks Old Jerusalem (Kyle Taylor/Flickr) Israel is certainly not high on the minds of most U.S. wine consumers. Although ancient wine production in Israel is documented through archeological evidence and chronicled frequently in the Bible, wine production and world attention has lagged among wine producing countries. According to a 2014 ranking of wine production by country, Israel ranked 58th behind wine “powerhouse” Cuba (48th), and Madagascar (53rd). vinifera grapes (Wkipedia) However insignificant the volume and notoriety, a recent tasting showed that quality is not is not relevant to rankings. Israel has the same latitude as San Diego and features hot and rain-free summers and wet winters — ideal for vinifera grape production. Israeli Winery The modern era for Israeli wine production began in the late 1800s with the establishment of Carmel Winery that had the support of Baron Edmund de Rothschild, owner of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. Carmel Winery also led the development in the 1960s from sweet sacramental wines to modern, dry table wines. The modern Israeli wine industry is only a few decades old, however. Israeli wines can be frequently found in better U.S. fine wine stores. Most are reasonably priced, and are made from familiar European grape varieties. Golan Heights Winery (Shoshanah/Flickr) The Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, previously known as the site of a major tank battle between the Israelis and Syrians during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, is the source of some of Israel’s finest wines. The cool Golan Heights has a unique microclimate that is conducive to growing quality wine grapes with vineyards planted 4,000 feet in elevation.
    [Show full text]
  • Boycott Campaign: Golan Heights Wine & Liquor Boards
    Factsheet: Boycott Campaign: Golan Heights Wine & Liquor Boards Factsheet Series No. 84 Created: June 2010, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East What are the Golan Heights? The area known as the Golan Heights is a rocky plateau located in south-western Syria which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. During the 1967 War, Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria, largely depopulating the area and creating about 100,000 Syrian refugees.1 Soon after the Golan was captured, Israel began transferring its own civilian population into the occupied Golan and building illegal colonies. Syria was unable to re-capture the Golan during the 1973 Yom Kippur war, and in 1974 signed an armistice agreement with Israel. UN Peacekeeping forces (UNDOF) have been on the ceasefire line since 1974 to monitor the truce. In 1981, Israel passed the “Golan Heights Law” which effectively annexed the Golan by extending Israeli civil law to the area. This move on the part of Israel was broadly condemned by the international community, and declared “null and void and without international legal effect” in UN Security Council Resolution 497 (Dec. 17, 1981.) Peace negotiations have failed to return the Golan Heights to Syria, in part due to the strategic significance of the Heights. Its topography provides a natural buffer zone against military assault, and the area is also a key source of water for the region. Today there are more than 30 Israeli colonies in the Golan with an estimated population of 20,000 Israeli colonists.2 What is significant about wine from the Golan Heights? Israeli-labelled wine is produced in the Golan Heights and four other regions.
    [Show full text]