Golan Heights Winery Yarden Chardonnay Odem 2022

Region and Vineyards

The Yarden Chardonnay Odem Organic Vineyard 2022 originates from the Odem Vineyard, located at nearly 1,200 metres above sea level in the northern Golan Heights, within the Galilee appellation. This volcanic plateau is the coldest winegrowing region in Israel, known for its dramatic diurnal shifts, winter snowfall, and well-drained basalt soils. These high-altitude conditions are ideally suited to growing Chardonnay with vibrant acidity and nuanced expression.

Planted in 1989 and certified organic since 1998, the vineyard is a benchmark for sustainable viticulture in Israel. Its combination of elevation, organic farming, and volcanic terroir allows for slow, even ripening. The result is fruit of outstanding aromatic purity and structural finesse, producing a Chardonnay of depth, tension, and elegance.

Winemaking

This wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Odem Vineyard. Under the guidance of Victor Schoenfeld, winemaking focuses on preserving freshness while building complexity. After whole-cluster pressing, fermentation and aging take place in French oak barrels for seven months, with the wine remaining sur lie to enhance texture and richness.

A careful balance of oak influence and natural fruit character defines the style. Partial malolactic fermentation and lees stirring contribute creaminess, while the wine maintains brisk acidity and mineral clarity. With 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.33, and total acidity of 6.3 g/L, the profile is both generous and vibrant. The wine is approachable now but will evolve gracefully for up to eight years from vintage.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale gold with green reflections, showing clarity and youthful brightness.
• Aroma: Expressive notes of ripe lemon, yellow pear, and pineapple, accented by hints of white blossom, baking spice, and flint.
• Palate: Full-bodied yet finely balanced, offering layered citrus and orchard fruit, subtle toast, and a long, mineral finish driven by tension and freshness.

Did you know?

The Odem Vineyard is the highest commercial vineyard in Israel and among the few to be farmed organically since the 1990s. Its unique combination of altitude, volcanic soil, and sustainable farming makes it one of the most distinctive Chardonnay sites in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled sardines with mint and almonds: the wine’s acidity cuts through the richness, while the herbal lift echoes its aromatic complexity.
• Crispy chicken thighs with Chardonnay cream sauce: enhances the wine’s round texture and barrel-derived spice.
• Creamy garlic parmesan risotto: complements the wine’s fullness and highlights its citrusy lift.
• Poached lobster with butter and lemon zest: a luxurious match for the wine’s balance of creaminess and mineral edge.

History of Golan Heights Winery

Founded in 1983 in the town of Katzrin, in the central Golan Heights, Golan Heights Winery was born from a desire to produce Israeli wines of international calibre. A collective of eight kibbutzim and moshavim established the winery with the vision of harnessing the region’s unique terroir—altitude, volcanic soils, and a cool climate—previously untapped for premium wine production.

The arrival of Victor Schoenfeld in 1992 as head winemaker marked a turning point. Schoenfeld, trained at UC Davis and with experience in Napa Valley and Champagne, implemented rigorous vineyard mapping, precision viticulture, and state-of-the-art winemaking. His influence elevated the winery’s status, turning it into a flagship of Israeli viticulture. Over the years, the estate has earned widespread international recognition, including a Grand Gold Medal at Vinitaly and the Wine Enthusiast New World Winery of the Year Award (2012).

From the outset, Golan Heights Winery positioned itself as a pioneer, introducing modern techniques such as cold fermentation for whites and temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, while preserving the character of Israeli terroir.

Region and Vineyards

Located in the Golan Heights, a high-altitude volcanic plateau in northern Israel, the winery benefits from elevations ranging from 400 to 1,200 metres. Winters bring snowfall, while summers remain dry, and daily temperature fluctuations favour the development of natural acidity and aromatic complexity. The basalt-rich soils, remnants of ancient lava flows, lend the wines a mineral signature distinctive to the region.

The estate cultivates more than 600 hectares of vineyards, spread across the Galilee appellation, particularly in the Golan Heights subregion, considered the finest terroir in the country. Key varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot, all showing exceptional varietal character thanks to meticulous site selection.

In addition to conventional farming, the estate is a leader in sustainable and organic viticulture, with vineyards like Odem certified organic since the late 1990s.

Wine Range of Golan Heights Winery

Golan Heights Winery produces a multi-tiered portfolio structured around three main labels: Yarden, Gamla, and Mount Hermon. Each range reflects a distinct winemaking philosophy and target audience, from everyday accessibility to ageworthy complexity.

The Yarden label stands as the flagship and most prestigious expression of the winery’s vision. It showcases the finest grapes from meticulously selected vineyard blocks in the Golan Heights, and represents the intersection of terroir precision, winemaking excellence, and cellaring potential.

Yarden wines are consistently single-varietal or vineyard-designated, such as Yarden Syrah, Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon, and Yarden Chardonnay Odem Vineyard, offering pure, site-driven interpretations of classic international varieties. The label also includes cuvées with extended aging, such as Yarden Katzrin, a powerful Bordeaux-style blend made only in exceptional vintages.

These wines are often aged in French oak barrels, benefit from extended lees contact (for whites), and are crafted to develop for a decade or more in bottle. Yarden wines have repeatedly received international acclaim, positioning them among the most celebrated Israeli wines on the global stage.

By contrast, Gamla emphasizes vibrant, fruit-forward wines with earlier accessibility, while Mount Hermon focuses on fresh, versatile wines ideal for everyday enjoyment. However, it is Yarden that continues to define the winery’s benchmark quality and its contribution to Israel’s modern fine wine identity.

Did you know?

Golan Heights Winery was the first Israeli producer to plant Syrah commercially, and one of the first to produce traditional-method sparkling wine in Israel. Its vineyards are among the coldest in the Eastern Mediterranean, making them ideal for varieties that demand long ripening periods and precise aromatics.