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.
