Israeli cuisine is literally a historical melting pot – featuring European, Mediterranean and North African kitchens alongside influences from Asia and beyond. Famous chefs such as Ottolenghi and Assaf Granit are also taking Israeli fine dining around the world.
Meanwhile, our wine industry has exploded across the country. Over 350 boutique producers are creating award-winning wines in a range of terroirs. New World and Old World varieties are grown side by side with indigenous grapes, creating an endless choice for experimentation and innovation.
Join us to explore the amazing markets, kitchens and wineries of Israel!
Your Host
Tal Gal-Cohen, the “Israeli Wine Ambassador”, is a consultant and lecturer. He was a wine journalist at Israel’s Globes newspaper for many years, and penned the book Wine Trails of Israel. Tal advises companies, hospitality brands, diplomats and individuals on wine and food issues. He also lectures on wine marketing and branding at Israel’s only winemaking college. Tal is a member of the international council and wine committee of the prestigious global culinary association La Chaine des Rotisseurs.
Day 1: Welcome to Israel
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. Meet & assist by a Vered Hasharon representative.
Transfer to your hotel for rest.
Early evening “Introduction to Israeli wine” – a talk & tasting experience led by the Israeli wine ambassador, Mr. Tal Gal Cohen, while dinner in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv.
Overnight in TLV area.
Day 2: From ancient days to present premium desert wine
After breakfast at the hotel, drive south to the unique Negev desert where innovation is a way of life. Tour the ancient Nabatean city of “Avdat”. Located on the ancient Incense Route, this city was once a wine empire, thriving in desert conditions.
Continue to a contemporary desert winery in the region, for a short tour and wine tastings.
Next enjoy a Beduin lunch & hospitality experience.
End your day with a visit to a premium award-winning desert winery making wonders out of locally grown grapes.
Dinner & overnight in the magnificent Dead Sea area.
Day 3: Unique flavors from the Dead Sea & Jerusalem
After breakfast at the hotel, have a leisurely morning at the Dead Sea. Enjoy the hotel spa facilities and floating on the unique salt lake at the lowest point on earth.
Next experience an authentic Makluba lunch.
Visit one of the most special wineries in the Jerusalem area where a visionary combines old and new world wine techniques.
Transfer to hotel for a little Rest & Relaxation.
At evening time, enjoy fine dining of Modern food with Israeli touches in one of Jerusalem’s top chef restaurants.
Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 4: Culinary & wine experiences in Jerusalem area
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
09:00-13:00 culinary tour at the bustling Machne Yehuda Market. Smell, feel and taste the flavors of Jerusalem. Together with your professional guide, choose and buy the products for your upcoming chef lunch.
Continue to a special winery located inside a cave in the Jerusalem Mountains.
Next visit an elite winery on the slopes of the Judean Hills.
Return to hotel for rest & relaxation.
Enjoy your dinner at an original and contemporary Jerusalemite restaurant. The restaurant’s special dishes are based on the cuisine which has been developing outside of the Old City walls for hundreds of years. During this dinner you will have an interactive 3 course meal with 2 wines being matched to each dish.
Return to hotel for overnight.
Day 5: Mediterranean & Arab flavors
After breakfast at the hotel, drive toward the coastline of Israel.
Visit a local boutique winery specializing in Mediterranean vine varieties.
Continue to a short visit to Caesarea National Park to see the ancient port of Herod the great and the amazing excavations.
Enjoy an authentic Arab cuisine lunch.
Next drive to a unique winery that combines quality wine and community service by employing and assisting people with special needs.
Drive to Galilee area for dinner & overnight.
Day 6: The versatile flavors of the Golan Heights
After breakfast at the hotel.
A guided self-driving RZR experience through the versatile landscape of the Golan Heights, the orchards and the vineyards. Stop at one of the vineyards belonging to the Golan Heights winery for a late morning wine tasting and tour of the vineyard. Learn about the scientific revolution this winery is leading, maintaining quality with commercial success.
Visit the winery and enjoy a wide range of tasting in the private room of the winery, followed by lunch in the private cellar.
Drive to a boutique winery in the Golan Heights, serving also Gin & Whisky. Enjoy an alcohol tasting alongside a boutique cheese platter.
End your day with a visit to a craft chocolatier.
Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Welcome to the Galilee
After breakfast at hotel, visit an ecological winery located in the Galilee mountains for a different outlook on wine production.
Continue to Rimon Winery which uses pomegranates only. You will be surprised to experience the range of products on offer.
Enjoy a Galilean Druz Lunch.
Next drive to Tel Aviv to your hotel, for rest before your last night out on this tour.
End the tour with a special farewell dinner & a visit to the Whiskey Museum.
Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight home / tour and lunch in old Jaffa port.
