VINEYARDS & WINEIN THE JUDEAN MOUNTAINS

In the heart of the Holy Land, 980 meters above sea level and surrounded by the Judean hills, lies the ancient city of Hevron, resting place of the Biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs. With its climate influenced by the mountainous location, a cool breeze rising up from the coast, and dry, hot air coming from the Negev desert, it is an ideal site for grape cultivation and wine production.

Already in the Bible, Hevron is mentioned as a grape-growing region - as is recounted in the episode of the Explorators. The band of men charged by Moses to scout out the Land of Israel returned with enormous grape clusters from Hevron. Somewhat later in history, we know that more than one million Jews populated the area in the David Kingdom time. Then as well, one of the main enterprises of the region was wine production, and the vintage produced in Hevron was famed throughout the Mediterranean basin.

Although viticulture has never ceased from the area, the grand tradition of wine making in Hevron has been largely neglected since the Moslem conquest, due to Islamís prohibition against drinking alcoholic beverages. In more recent times, however, the ancient tradition has been revived, as Jews returning to the area planted quality wine species, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Now, as in earlier times, the results are outstanding, as the area remains particularly suitable for grape cultivation.

The passion

Hevron Heights Winery was established by a group of French with a deep love of the Land of Israel and a vision of establishing vineyards to produce fine wines in the heart of the Judean hills. Originally from North Africa, they share a passion for viniculture and a deep admiration for their illustrious forebears who produced wine in Morocco.

The winery produces strictly kosher wines and accords great importance and respect to the link between the wines and the history and geography of Israel - reflected in the Biblical names of our wines and their distinctive label designs.

An old world winery

The winery was built on a French model that melds the most advanced technologies with classic winemaking traditions. “Old World” methods are used in conjunction with more modern techniques with a view to obtaining as natural a wine as possible. The fermentation tanks are equipped with advanced systems to insure that the fermentation takes place under the most favorable circumstances and that the proper temperature is maintained throughout the process. Under these optimal conditions, the grapes are gently processed, employing warm fermentation in open vats. The wine that is subsequently produced is then aged in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels from twelve to twenty-four months. While vintages of wine may differ slightly due to natural variations in different growing seasons, Hevron Heights wines all display a similar style: full fruity flavors with a soft and a clean finish. If you enjoy one of our select wines you will probably enjoy the others as well.

The winemaker

This consistency is achieved through the meticulous oversight of our renowned and award-winning master vintner, Jacques Humeau. A graduate of the Enology department of the University of Bordeaux, Jacques was a student of Emile Peynaud, the father of the modern science of winemaking. Under his expert direction, the winery releases rare and vibrant wines, produced with the intimate knowledge gleaned from both formal education and the cumulative experience of generations of the Humeau family involved in wine-making.

Another reason for our consistent style is our willingness to age our wines until we are satisfied that they meet our exacting standards. We are adamant in our unwillingness to compromise on quality, and do not hesitate to refrain from marketing a vintage if we think that it does not deserve to be bottled. To accentuate the quality of our product, most of our red wines are aged at least one year after bottling prior to marketing.

ARMAGEDON

Master Vintner Jacques Humeau highlights select vineyard lots, unique proprietary blends, and extremely limited production varieties for this exclusive wine. This special reserve is composed of 80% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, and 5% syrah, grown in variant heights ranging from 850 to 1050 meters above sea level. Each individual vineyard lot is kept separate through the fermentation and aging process. After roughly 24 months in oak barrels, the various lots are evaluated and blended, then put back in the barrel to mingle and meld for an additional two months. Armagedon is aged in new French oak barrels, and can be cellared for up to ten years.

HEVRON HEIGHTS RESERVE

Known for its berry-red character, this special reserve wine’s core of Monitor Ledge Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Merlot to add texture and velvety roundness, and Shiraz with a small amount of Petit Verdot to enhance color and intensity. The aroma is dominated by elements of raspberry, red cherry and nutmeg, with underlying notes of cinnamon; while the palate offers bright acidity, red berry flavors and layers of cassis, crème brûlée, vanilla and chocolate. After aging for almost a year in barrels as individual lots, the wines are then blended and re-barreled for an additional year of aging in our cellars.

MAKHPELAH

Makhpelah is a special reserve blend composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Syrah. The grapes originate from vineyards located in variant heights ranging from 850 to 1050 meters above sea level, in the region between Jerusalem and Hevron. The wine is aged for 20 months in new French oak barrels. It is then carefully mixed together, producing one of Israel’s most outstanding Bordeaux-inspired blends, combining dark and spicy aromas with a vibrant touch of vanilla, red currant, and smoky oak. The well balanced palate is soft and rich, with plum and dark cherry flavors highlighted by fine tannins and a seductive fine-grained finish.

ISAAC’S RAM

This premium Cabernet Sauvignon displays sweet, round tannins, together with bountiful black currant, licorice, cedar, and spice box characteristics. Reflecting the power and intensity of its vineyards’ rugged, high-elevation terrain, Isaac’s Ram displays excellent structure, strong tannins and a complex and subtle earthy undercurrent. Featuring intriguing aromas of dark chocolate, mulled fruit and spice, this robust wine also offers a savory hint of porcini. On the palate, smooth textures of blackberry, black currant, mocha and menthol are accentuated by hints of lavender, herbs and sweet oak. The wine is aged for 18 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels.

MOUNT HEVRON RESERVE

For this rich Cabernet Sauvignon, fermentation takes place in small, open top fermenting tanks, with the cap punched-down every six hours to ensure a gentle, yet efficient extraction of color and tannins. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 24 months, with minimal rackings. The aroma consists of black cherry and plum, with subtle notes of vanilla, chocolate and toasted nuts. This wine is rich and full-bodied on the palate, its black cherry and plum flavor accentuated by a hint of sweet vanilla and toast. The tannins are soft and velvety, and help to carry the fruit through to an amazingly long finish.

MOUNT HEVRON RESERVE

The grapes for this Syrah have their source in several small, low-yielding vineyards in the Judean Hills, each with its own unique terrain. Full bodied on the palate, the core of ripe fruity flavor is enveloped by smooth tannins. There is a beautifully integrated note of oak as well, together with hints of oriental spices, vanilla and toasted nuts that linger on the long, rich finish. There is a robust, untamed quality to this wine that expresses itself in extremely complex, dark-fruit flavors of blackberry, black cherry and blueberry. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, this wine provides an immediately wonderful drinking experience, which will also age gracefully for many years.

JERUSALEM HEIGHTS

This sophisticated blend, aged for 18 months in French and American oak barrels, composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot from more than 7 different vineyards, located in variant heights from 450m up to 950m in the Judean Hills. Jerusalem Heights has been blended with a selection of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that grow–to add minerality and flavor complexity–and to enhance mid-palate structure. Classic aromas of black olive, black currant and are echoed on the palate alongside earthy undertones. The oak profile lends depth and nuance to this elegantly structured wine. Jerusalem was aged for 18 months in French and American oak barrels.

PARDESS

This unique Merlot begins with beautiful front notes of cherry vanilla and clove. Deeper in the nose is a presence of black berry, briar spice and edges of black pepper. The bouquet reveals layered aromatics of plum, vanilla bean and spice, as well as evocative notes of saddle leather, tobacco leaf and rich, moist earth. On the palate, these elements lead to rich blackberry, red cherry and mocha flavors, complemented by inviting notes of blueberry, loganberry and currant. The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

JUDEAN HEIGHTS

This full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels, typically have mild tannins making them extremely food-friendly and approachable upon release. The wine has a rich, intense nose of blackberry, cassis, and plum fruit with subtle hints of vanilla, toast and caramel. The balance is structured yet elegant, with soft, silky tannins. The wine is drinking beautifully after each release, but you can expect this wine to develop for many years to come.

JUDEAN HEIGHTS

This elegant Merlot, aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels, is blended to capture the complexity and balance of a young wine, while embodying the diversity of the entire Judean Hills complexity. This Merlot offers a rich texture and integrated oak flavors. The bouquet displays lush layers of ripe plum and bright raspberry underscored by notes of sandalwood and spices. The mouth feel, while young, is showing great promise with full, coating tannin and a fine acidic structure.

JUDEAN HEIGHTS

Strong, lush and extracted, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 60% and shiraz 40%, displays good weight and ample length. The abundant aroma is dusty and woodsy with elements of jasmine tea, sweet cocoa, and bramble. On the palate, juicy boysenberry and blackberry layers intermingle with notes of strawberry and cinnamon spice, accented by earth tones and subtle oak. The wine was aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels.

ELONE MAMRE

This Chardonnay, predominantly from the west of the Judean Hills vineyards, is a medium bodied wine, rich with excellent acid balance and firm texture and warm citrus notes intertwined with a trace of cream.The fruit was loaded directly to the press. Cold settled, racked and inoculated and fermented on the lees without malolactic fermentation. While in barrel, spent yeast cells are stirred up several times, structuring a complex flavor and rich texture. Elone Mamre is then rotated through french and hungarian oak barrels until the right balance between oak and fruit is accomplished, between 4 to 6 months.

JACOB

Our Muscat matures gently in the warm days and cool nights of the Judean Mountains, close to maritime breeze coming straight from the Israeli coastal plain. After a very cold and long fermentation the result is a sweet white wine, fresh, crisp and fruity. This straw pure Muscat yellow wine opens with a wonderfully aromatic floral like bouquet with hints of apricot and orange blossom. On the palate, this sweet wine is full bodied, rich, concentrated, and has ripe light pear, pineapple, tropical fruits and apricot flavors. The finish is refreshing and lingers nicely. Delicious complex wine with layers of pear, citrus, honeysuckle and a touch of toasty oak.

JERUSALEM HILLS

This fruity and fresh wine of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah blended to capture the complexity and balance of a young wine. This well-balanced, medium-weight wine offers bright acidity and a long. The aroma is rich and evocative of dark cherries and clove. On the palate, this elegantly balanced wine combines generous fruit-forward structure with tannins; it is full of plum, spice, cherry, strawberry, and vanilla oak layers. Though delicate and understated, this wine’s compelling force of flavor, weight, and potent spice create a depth and density that cannot be missed.

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