FOOD AND DRINK IN THE WESTERN GALILEE

Women’s Day in the Galilee ― From Extreme to Calm in the Galilee Landscape

Activity for groups up to 60 people. To contact us, for more information and to receive a quote for the whole day, write to us: groups@westgalil.org.il   We will start the day with a self-driving RZR trip, accompanied by a guide and explanations. The route begins in the magical Achihud Forest at a breathtaking panoramic observation point that overlooks the entire stretch of coast, from there we will continue to the Gamal Cave and secret caves in the area ― Yonim Cave and Ancient Man Cave. We will hear about the prehistoric finds that were discovered in these caves and to finish we will go through the ultimate photo spot of nature.

The Julia Winery

The Julia Winery is a family business, producing quality boutique wines from selected grapes grown on our own land and in other Galilee vineyards. The family vineyard is in the village of Mi’ilya in Western Galillee, on rock-covered slopes in an area of ancient winepresses, and surrounded by olive groves and oak trees. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown on naturally irrigated terra Russo land which is rich in iron. The vineyard is irrigated solely by rainfall, which allows the grapes to ripen fully before they are harvested, thus increasing the percentage of sugar and enhancing the quality of the wine. The vineyard was established by George Araf, the father of the wine-loving family, and an agronomist with many years of experience. Today the vineyard produces 11,000 bottles of red and white wines as well as rosé, all from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, and Vinia (from white grapes). Visiting the winery you will sense the warm, personal touch of the Araf family, and you will always be welcomed into the house with a smile and heartwarming hospitality, and a glass of wine. The winery is open to visitors every day of the week, with the option of sitting in the barrel room, at the bar, or on the winery’s picturesque balcony. Lately, the Julia winery has begun opening its doors on Friday evenings, as a wine bar serving a unique and surprising seasonal menu on the winery’s inviting balcony.

A Route Between Wineries & Charming Corners in the Galilee

Malka Brewery

Assaf Lavie owned two pubs in Tel Aviv, and decided to leave the big city for the ecological village of Clil, where he began to explore and experiment with brewing beer. In 2006, he began his journey with the Malka Brewery, out of a love for nature and a desire to promote beer culture in Israel. The first beers that Assaf brewed underwent a series of tastings with culinary professionals. After the recipes were formulated, Assaf loaded crates of Malka Pale Ale, Blond Ale, and Stout onto his pickup and made his way to deliver them in Tel Aviv. In 2008, the brewery settled in Kibbutz Yehi’am, at the foot of the fortress, amidst a Galilean landscape facing the sea. It later moved to the Tefen Industrial Zone. Since then, the brewery has specialized in producing ales using the traditional method and in small quantities. The production process begins with the use of the highest quality raw materials and continues with strict quality control, and uncompromising final product standards. The Malka Beer Salon – opened in the brewery’s new production complex that moved from Kibbutz Yehi’am to the Tefen Industrial Zone. A pub-restaurant designed as a homely salon, open on Thursdays from 6 pm to midnight. Enjoy Happy Hour between 6 pm – 8 pm. Guided tours of the brewery can be arranged by prior arrangement.

Jullius Distillery ― Distillates & Visitor Center

Jullius Distillery, one of the few solar-powered distilleries in the world, lovingly produces fine alcohol of rare quality. Come and be intoxicated by the taste and magnificent Galilee landscape.

Lotem Winery — Organic Boutique Winery

The Lotem Winery was established in 2010 out of a love for the world of wine, and hospitality, and a desire to bring the organic way of working to the forefront. The organic concept accompanies the winery in the wine production process — quality wines produced in a production process that protects the environment and nature, and also in the hospitality experience. The winery’s visitor center is open all week and provides a unique experience that combines wine tasting, and an open Galilean view overlooking the Sea of Galilee alongside a varied food menu. The winery also hosts private events for groups as well as business events. The vineyards are located in Kibbutz Tziv’on in the Upper Galilee and Mount Sifon in the Golan Heights. Among the well-known and beloved wines of the Lotem Winery include the Vega white wine, the Nebbiolo red wine, and the unique Orange wine, among many others! You are invited to enjoy quality wine in front of a breathtaking Galilean view.  

Pelech Winery – Wine, Scenery & Dreams

If you long for a moment of disconnection and a true connection to peace and nature, now is the time to climb up the mountain and reach the young kibbutz, Pelech. Enjoy boutique wine, a breathtaking panoramic view and a breeze that is not found anywhere else in the country. In the heart of a young kibbutz, between the landscapes of the Galilee and the remains of the old milking parlor, a winery was born that is much more than a place to drink wine. Pelech Winery is not just a place to sip wine, but a winery where agriculture, solidarity, and collaborative activity are poured into a glass. A kibbutz-community winery founded in 2022 in the heart of Kibbutz Pelech in the Galilee, on the infrastructure of the old barn. The winery was established out of a desire to revive the kibbutz idea, but in a contemporary version – agriculture, community, collaborative activity, solidarity, and good wine. Itay Bay, the winery’s winemaker, brought with him professional knowledge from France and the experience of the Galilee wineries, and together they created a home for Mediterranean wines, with natural fermentation — an approach of “less intervention, more truth”. The wine of Pelech Winery is a story about the kibbutz, land, and people who chose to blend social action with great wine. Our most Instagram-mable dish: a glass of rosé, in front of an open Galilean view — no filter can recreate this! Tip from the Western Galilee Now Team: Don’t miss the opportunity to ask the winery staff about the unique and inspiring way the new kibbutz was formed. And if you’ve already come all this way… want more sips? Skip to the next ridge and visit the wonderful Stern Winery in Kibbutz Tuval. 

Kishor Winery

The Kishor Vineyards and Winery belong to Kibbutz Kishorit, a village for people with special needs. The winery includes a vineyard, a visitor center, and integrates the village residents into daily activities. Kishor Winery – a unique boutique winery that includes a vineyard, a visitor center, and unique activities that integrate people with special needs. In late summer 2007, the first vines were planted and over the years the vineyard areas were expanded. Today, the vineyard covers an area of ​​110 dunams (27 acres) and is still growing. The Kishor Vineyard is located in Kibbutz Kishorit, on the ridge of the Upper Western Galilee Mountains, at an altitude of 500 m above sea level. The unique climate in the area, characterized by high temperature differences between day and night, combined with the rocky soil, constitute an ideal environment for the long and slow ripening of the fruit and give Kishor wine its special color, aroma, and flavor. The quality and health of the grapes and wine are achieved while maintaining the health of the soil and the environment. The Kishor vineyards and winery are owned by the Kishor Village, which sits on the lands of Kibbutz Kishorit, a village for people with special needs, who lead a community life and work in the village’s productive industries. The winery is one of the main industries in the village, and the members of Kishor are full partners in the winemaking process, cultivating and caring for the vineyards, harvesting the grapes, bottling, distributing to customers, and actually creating, with the guidance of a team of expert consultants and village employees, the Kishor wines. The visitor center is an additional source of employment for the members, allowing them to take part in the hospitality, experience interaction with an audience of visitors from outside, and see the fruits of their labor. The winery makes about 90,000 bottles a year and its wines have won prizes in Israel and abroad. Several grape varieties are grown at the vineyard: reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, and Chardonnay. You can taste and purchase the wines produced on site. By booking in advance, you can attend wine tastings accompanied by organic vegetables and fresh breads that are also expertly produced and high-quality cheeses. The visitor center can also host seminars and private events.  

Ofir Farm — Love Between Family & Land

The Ofir Farm in Alon HaGalil includes a vineyard and winery, known to wine enthusiasts by its former name the Yiftah’el Winery, and an apiary, known to honey enthusiasts by its former name, the Ofir Apiary. The farm was established by Hadas and Zvika Ofir in Alon HaGalil, which was then an agricultural village in its early days. Zvika grew up with the craft of beekeeping, which he learned from his father Yishai. He received his first hundred bees from him as a gift, and today there are over 800 hives. After the establishment of the apiary, in 1986, Hadas and Zvika decided to deepen their connection to the land and planted grapevines. For more than a decade, the grapes were sold to large wineries in the country, and in 1999 they began producing their wine. The main and leading grape varieties in the vineyard since then and to this day are Sangiovese and Petite Sirah. In addition, they also grow Roussanne, Marselan, and Shiraz. The honey produced by the bees is pure, natural and healthy, and is classified according to the types of blossoms: carob, jujube, clover, citrus, and avocado, and according to different wild blossom areas: Migdal, Shlomi, Alon HaGalil, and Kadarim. In 2004, Winemaker Kobi Tuch joined the winery as an advisor. Kobi is the founder of Israel’s first boutique winery – Mount Meron Winery. In the same year, the farm’s visitor center was also built with wooden springs brought from the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia, where the farm’s agricultural produce ― honey and wine ― is sold. The cabin is open every week from Wednesday to Saturday for entertainment. At the cabin you can taste the nine types of honey they produce, the variety of wines alongside fine goat cheese platters, you can also enjoy good coffee and a changing art exhibition on the gallery floor with the children and family. Hadas and Zvika’s four children take an active part in all the farm’s activities, from working in the apiary, harvesting in the vineyard, filling honey jars and wine bottles to the farm’s many events. Adva, the eldest daughter, returned to the farm after graduating and together with Hadas, manages and develops the visitors center and the members’ club. Noam, her younger brother joined Zvika and together they lead the farm’s agricultural industries.

Stern Winery

Stern Winery was founded in 2004 by Johnny Stern. Stern Winery is a family-run boutique winery in the Galilee, located on one of the mountain peaks overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, in Kibbutz Tuval. Johnny left his job in marketing and sales to fulfill his dream of making wine in the Galilee. He acquired extensive knowledge of winemaking from professional bookkeeping and studies at Tel Hai College on the subject of “Specializing in Winemaking”. In the winery’s early years of operation, a large group of relatives, friends, and acquaintances were recruited to help with almost all of the winery’s activities and later became the “Friends of the Winery” club, and is still part of the activity today. The Brazilian Johnny Stern loves wine, food, and people. Sometimes, by prior arrangement, he combines his loves and hosts dinners, which he serves accompanied by his wines on a peasant table in the winery’s beautiful visitor center. The winery today produces blended wines and varietal wines from the following varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc. The wines have won many awards in local and international competitions. Recently, kosher wines have also been added to the winery. The winery currently produces about 30,000 bottles per year. There you can enjoy a tour, explanations about wine production, tastings, meals by prior arrangement, and the purchase of wines.