The Golan Heights is situated in the northeast of Israel. It is a volcanic plateau rising to 4000 feet above sea level. The area benefits from cool breezes from the snow-covered Mount Hermon. The Golan may be divided into three sub-regions: The southern Golan overlooking the Sea of Galilee is 1150 feet above sea level. The soils are basaltic clay. The middle Golan is 1320 to 1650 feet altitude. Then there is the Upper Golan which rises from 2500 to 4000 feet. Soil is more volcanic tuff and the black basalt stone is everywhere. The annual precipitation is 32-40”. Winter temperatures can be from below zero to 5 0F, while in the summer the range is from 54-86 0F. The Golan was first planted with quality wine grapes in 1976. It was the region that first drew the world’s attention to Israeli wines. Regular pests include wild boar, which come at night and gorge on the grapes, but only when they are ripe.
Winery on the Golan: Yarden – Golan Heights
Golan Heights vineyards: 18%
The region that first drew the world’s attention to Israeli wines