The magnificent event, featuring a presentation of the wines, was organized by "TwinWineries," a partnership between German and Israeli wineries. Both the Minister of Agriculture of Rhineland-Palatinate, Christine Schneider, and the Mayor of Mainz, Nino Haase, made a point of delivering personal greetings, as did the President of the Bundestag, Julia Klöckner, via video message, to underscore the importance of this meeting and the German-Israeli friendship.

Following the official program, the participating partners presented their wines. Since the German wines are well-known in Germany, I focused, also due to time constraints, on the Israeli wines, as the Israeli winemakers had already traveled to Germany. Incidentally, there had previously been German-Israeli wine summits in Israel, where the German partners were able to present their wines there.

I really enjoyed the wines – all of them dry. The following wine notes and ratings with bonvinitas points naturally represent my own opinion – although I generally only present wines scoring 90 points or higher. Due to time constraints, a selection had to be made, but this does not constitute a pre-selection.

Pauker Winery in Nir Oz / Western Negev – Partner of Weingut Sturm, Mittelrhein

Kibbutz Nir Oz was one of the hardest hit by the horrific Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and was occupied for eight hours until help arrived. 120 houses were destroyed. As a result, young Gal Pauker, who manages the winery and presented two of its wines, also lost loved ones. German volunteers then helped with the reconstruction. Gal has German roots; his great-grandfather came to Israel from Mannheim in the 1930s.

2025 rosé, Grenache and Cabernet Franc

(90 bonvinitas points, red for category 2, dry over 12% - see the rating system).

2023 red, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

14%: deep aroma with notes of cassis that appeals to the palate; a pleasant red wine on the palate, one that you'll want to have; in the finish, gentle tannins from which a subtle, invigorating bitterness emerges.

Yaffo Winery, Appellation of Origin Judean Hills – Partner of Weingut Gregor & Thomas Schätzle, Baden

They met in Strasbourg: Moshe and Anne Marie Celniker. She is from Alsace. Both physiotherapists by training, they realized their dream of winemaking after spending time together in Strasbourg and now are running a winery in Israel with vines in the Ella Valley on the slopes of the Judean Mountains.

Heritage White 2024, Chardonnay, Viognier

Matured for six months in wooden barrels, 12.5%: beautifully mature aroma with nutty notes; calm, uncluttered body that exudes tranquility; present yet decidedly gentle finish.

Image 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

14.5%: deep, elegant fragrance with notes of Morello cherry compote and cassis; round, powerful body, showing great substance; slightly smoky, long-lasting finish – outstandingly good!

Vortman Winery, Carmel Mountains – Partner of Weingut Stenner, Rheinhessen

From humble beginnings in 2003, the Vortmans now are running an organic winery in Haifa with vines in the Carmel Mountains.

2024 Mourvèdre
14%: subtle aroma; on the palate, a very juicy, powerful red wine that surprises, with fruit and well-integrated tannins that become even more pronounced in the finish. Mourvèdre is a red grape variety grown in southern France, as well as in Spain, where it is called Monastrell.

Tzora Vineyards – Appellation of Origin Judea – Partner of Weingut Selbach-Oster, Mosel

The winery is located in the Judean hill country between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - see the opening photo above.

Shoresh Red 2024

Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, 14%: Deep aromas with hints of nougat and dark chocolate, underpinned by fruit; a juicy red wine, one could practically bathe in it; a sumptuous finish that fades once more with abundant fruit. Shoresh is the municipality in question.

Bazelet Hagolan Winery, Golan Heights – Partner of Weingut von Hövel, Mosel

The winery presented two excellent mature pure Cabernet Sauvignon wines, which I particularly enjoyed:

2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Edition 188
14.5%: ripe, rich, opulent aroma – very good! Equally ripe and opulent body with plenty of fruit – a pleasure to drink; firmly structured finish with ripe tannins.

Reserve 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
15%, aged for 20 months in oak barrels: a calm, mature aroma underpinned by a hint of charcoal; an equally calm, mature body, perfect for relaxed enjoyment; a further calm finish in which the charcoal notes make a pleasant reappearance.

Agur Vineyards, Appellation Origen Judea - Partner of Weingut Gehring, Rheinhessen

The winery in the hills of Judea presented two wines:

Layam (blanc) 2024
Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, 13%, aged 10 months in oak barrels: From the very first aroma, a wine that knows what it wants and where it's going, nutty, slightly buttery; on the tongue, a temperament unfolds that grows into volume on the palate; a mature finish with vanilla notes.

Layam (red) 2023

Moa Winery, Negev - Partner Weingut Drautz-Abele, Württemberg

2024 blanc: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Roussane, Sauvignon Blanc

12.1%: On the nose, fruity, floral, and fresh with hints of orange peel and a touch of blossom honey; interesting dry fruit with notes of cashew nuts; elegant finish with a touch of perfume.

2023 Malbec plus Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon

13%: velvety bouquet; on the tongue an interesting, stimulating red wine that immediately makes you want another sip.

A few words about viticulture in Israel in general, as well as the regions

Of course, viticulture in Israel dates back to biblical times. Wine is frequently mentioned in the Bible, and in ancient Israel, a bountiful harvest and enjoyment of wine were primarily seen as a blessing from God. However, viticulture came to a standstill during the Muslim era, only to be revived at the end of the 19th century, significantly influenced by the well-known banker Baron Edmond James de Rothschild, then co-owner of the famous French winery Château Lafite-Rothschild.

The vineyard area now covers around 7,000 hectares, almost as much as the Moselle region. Kosher wine, which must be produced according to specific religious rules, is also important. Key wine-growing regions include Galilee with the Golan Heights, where vineyards extend to altitudes of over 1,000 meters; Shomron with its coastal region and Mount Carmel; the Judean Hills, particularly between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv; and the Negev desert.

The Negev, incidentally, was recently granted Protected Geographical Indication status in Israel. EU confirmation for imports is still pending, but can be expected.

Tel Winery on the Golan Heights - Partner Weingut Wechsel, Rheinhessen

The heart and soul of the winery is Lital Ovadia, who, after years of work and study, established a vineyard on her parents' farm in 2020, located in the northern Golan Heights. The vines grow at altitudes ranging from 750 to 1,100 meters. Unfortunately, the region lies within range of Hezbollah rockets. During the panel discussion before the wine presentation, she was asked if she wasn't afraid of rocket fire. Her answer was: "When there's shelling in the vineyards, I lie down on the ground; then I can feel the earth beneath me and feel safe."

Lital produces only single-varietal wines. She presented two wines, both of which I enjoyed.

2025 Sémillon (100%)

11.9%: On the nose, floral and fresh, you can practically smell the landscape; on the tongue, a very memorable wine that combines temperament with floral character and beautiful dryness, finishing in calm elegance – a great, unusual drop.

13.8%: A very fine red wine aroma with notes of blackcurrant jelly accompanied by subtle hints of charcoal; intensifies powerfully on the palate, culminating in a further burst of flavor in the finish. A truly delightful wine! 

Vitkin Winery - Partner of Weingut Georg Mosbacher, Pfalz

Vitkin Winery was founded in 2001 and is considered one of the pioneers of modern winemaking in Israel. The winery cultivates vineyards throughout Israel.

Israeli Red Journey 2022

Old vines Carignan, Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Frank. Aged for 10 months in oak barrels, 13% ABV: delicate fruit, polished like a ruby; lingers on the palate and pleasantly textured; refined and elegant fruit; a wine you'll happily enjoy another glass of.

2021 old vines Carignan (100%)

Aged for 16 months in 500-liter French oak barrels, 13.5%: On the nose, one senses a calmly flowing aroma with notes of dark chocolate and a hint of charcoal; on the palate, a very approachable, powerful red wine, round, full-bodied, with subtle terroir notes in the background; elegant, full finish.

The wines are offered and distributed in Germany by the partner winery Mosbacher.

Margalit Winery - Partner of Heymann-Löwenstein Winery, Mosel

Founded in 1989, the winery, with vineyards in various regions of Israel, is now located in Binyamina, between Tel Aviv and Haifa, not far from the coast, after two relocations.

I really liked the:

Paradigm 2018

Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, 14.5%: Beautiful red wine aroma with hints of Morello cherry compote and a touch of charcoal; mouthy, full body with plenty of smoothness and beautifully rounded tannins; full, mouth-coating finish.

Further contact person on the German side

Eva Raps from the Kaufmann winery in Eltville, who, incidentally, worked for over 10 years as managing director for the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates.

Text: Dieter Simon, publisher and editor-in-chief of bonvinitas; Photos: Dieter Simon/bonvinitas unless otherwise stated.