Domaine du Castel and IWPA Wines: On a Sipping Streak
By Betty Taylor
Move over France and Italy, there’s another wine region finally getting the critical acclaim it deserves – Israel – and one particular winery that is winning over even the most discerning of wine connoisseurs every sip of the way- Domaine du Castel.
The man behind Domaine du Castel’s success, founder and winemaker Eli Gilbert-Zaken, knows just what it means not to give up. While leading guests on a five-course tasting journey paired with his wine selections at Malka Dumbo (the kosher hotspot from famed restauranteur Eyal Shani), Gilbert-Zaken, now 81, shared his special journey of taking Domaine du Castel from a single barrel at Ramat Razi’el’s backyard to one of his country’s most distinguished kosher wineries. Adding to its prestige, the winery is also one of the wineries of the Israeli Wine Producers Association, or IWPA.
Blending its rich and ancient traditions with the latest technologies, Israel continues to be one of the most rapidly growing winemaking regions in the world. After all, with all of the necessary requirements needed to make great wines, including rich soil, a diverse climate, and deep history, Israeli vintners are more than keeping up with their competitors. The IWPA, which currently represents over 40 wineries across the country, including everything from boutique estates to some of the region’s largest producers, is leading the charge when it comes to educating U.S. customers about Israel’s unique world-class wines.
This small nation is also a pioneer in advanced irrigation technologies, especially drip irrigation, which has revolutionized not only Israeli agriculture but also viticulture, the grape growing process for wine, worldwide. Despite being in an arid environment with little rainfall, these irrigation systems help manage the terroir more precisely, contributing to Israel’s growing reputation in the global wine industry. Drip irrigation’s slow, targeted watering delivers water directly to the root zone of each plant through a network of tubes, pipes, and emitters.
There is even precision control, as the flow can be adjusted per vine, allowing winemakers to tailor irrigation for specific grape varieties and soil types. It also minimizes waste, as water loss through evaporation or runoff is drastically reduced compared to traditional methods.
“Despite the challenges Israel has faced, the unique terrain and climate have enabled the production of exceptional wines,” says Josh Greenstein, VP of Marketing and Sales at IWPA. “Our mission is to inspire people to discover the wines of Israel—offering an unmatched journey for wine lovers everywhere.”
Customers throughout the United States will now find it easier than ever to spot a variety of wines from each of these Israeli wineries, with their own vibrant stories and distinct portfolios, offering award-winning red, white, and rosé varietals.
The benefits for vineyards include:
· Water Efficiency – Vital in arid climates like Israel’s.
· Enhanced Grape Quality – Controlled stress from regulated water delivery can improve phenolic content and sugar concentration, leading to better wine.
· Data-Driven Irrigation – Many systems are now integrated with sensors, IoT, and AI.
· Sustainability – Supports organic and sustainable practices by limiting weeds and disease pressure from over-watering.
Wineries Represented by the IWPA:
1848 Winery
Website: 1848winery.com
Instagram: @1848winery
Rooted in a winemaking tradition dating back to 1848, this boutique winery blends family heritage with modern techniques. Known for its handcrafted red blends and expressive varietals, 1848 Winery emphasizes meticulous vineyard selection and small-batch production, creating elegant, age-worthy wines that reflect the character of Israel’s diverse terroirs.
Alexander Winery
Website: alexander-winery.com
Instagram: @alexander_winery
Famed for its bold red wines and artistic bottle designs, Alexander Winery is located near the Mediterranean coast. Winemaker Yoram Shalom infuses each wine with family passion and attention to detail. Signature wines like Alexander the Great and Liza reflect both innovation and Old-World sophistication.
Barkan Winery
Website: barkan-winery.co.il
Instagram: @barkanwinery
As one of Israel’s largest wineries, Barkan offers an extensive lineup from entry-level to high-end wines. With vineyards in the Golan Heights, Judean Hills, and Negev, Barkan produces consistent, accessible wines known for their balance, value, and wide appeal in international markets.
Ben Ami Winery
Website: benamiwines.com
Instagram: @benamiwinery
Ben Ami Winery specializes in crafting wines that are approachable, food-friendly, and ideal for everyday enjoyment. Located in northern Israel, the winery offers varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay, all designed to highlight fruit character and drinkability.
BNNUN Winery
Website: bnnunwinery.com
Instagram: @bnnunwinery
Pushing boundaries in the Judean Hills, BNNUN Winery is celebrated for its modern, experimental approach. With a focus on innovative fermentation methods and bold blends like Syrah-Viognier, BNNUN challenges conventions while embracing the expressive nature of Israeli terroir.
Binyamina Winery
Website: binyaminawines.co.il
Instagram: @binyaminawinery
Founded in 1952, Binyamina Winery lies near the Carmel Mountains and is known for wines that balance heritage and innovation. The winery offers ranges such as Yogev and Reserve, delivering consistent quality across red, white, and rosé wines that highlight Israel’s diverse wine regions.
Carmel Winery
Website: carmelwines.co.il
Instagram: @carmelwinery
Established in 1882, Carmel is Israel’s oldest and most historic winery. Its vast vineyards span the country’s best wine-growing regions. With labels like Carmel Signature and Private Collection, the winery produces everything from traditional kosher wines to complex, premium reds and whites.
The Cave Winery
Website: thecavewinery.com
Instagram: @the_cave_winery
Located between Zichron Yaakov and Binyamina, The Cave Winery ages its wines in a natural cave carved into limestone. This boutique winery focuses on Bordeaux-style blends that benefit from ideal cellar conditions, resulting in deep, structured, and elegant wines made in limited quantities.Shape
*Domaine du Castel
Website: castel.co.il
Instagram: @castelwinery
One of Israel’s most prestigious wineries, Domaine du Castel is nestled in the Judean Hills and produces Bordeaux-style wines under strict estate conditions. Known for its Grand Vin and “C” white, Castel embodies French elegance with Israeli identity, earning global accolades.
Ephod Winery
Website: ephodwinery.com
Instagram: @ephod_winery
Ephod Winery channels the spirit of ancient Israel through contemporary wines that reflect terroir and precision. Its expressive reds and whites showcase restrained power, balance, and minerality. The winery is quickly gaining a reputation for its nuanced Syrah and Bordeaux-style blends.
Feldstein Winery
Website: thekosherterroir.com
Instagram: @feldsteinwinery
Founded in 2014 by winemaker Avi Feldstein, this Upper Galilee boutique winery is known for its experimental, terroir-expressive wines. Highlights include the native Dabouki 2023, Grenache Rosé, and the Gilgamesh 2020 red blend. Feldstein practices minimal intervention and gentle extraction, yielding wines that are refined, original, and deeply rooted in place.
Flam Winery
Website: flamwinery.com
Instagram: @flamwinery
Flam is a family-owned estate in the Judean Hills that produces elegant wines rooted in harmony and terroir. With a focus on Bordeaux-style blends and Mediterranean varietals, Flam’s flagship wines—including Classico and Reserve—exude sophistication, balance, and Israeli finesse.
Kamisa Winery
Website: www.kamisawinery.com
Instagram: @kamisawinery
Kamisa Winery is located in the Dalton Industrial Park in the Upper Galilee. It is known for producing premium wines, with a focus on the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights regions. The winery emphasizes terroir-driven wines with a focus on aging potential and is committed to using advanced vineyard management techniques and the latest winemaking equipment.
Pinto Winery
Website: pintowinery.com
Instagram: @pintowinery
Established in 2020 in Yeruham, Pinto Winery is a family-owned estate dedicated to showcasing the potential of desert viticulture. Under the guidance of renowned winemaker Yaakov Oriya, the winery produces expressive Mediterranean varietals like Grenache, Syrah, and Petit Syrah. Their “HOLOT” series reflects the unique terroir of the Negev, offering wines with remarkable complexity and aging potential.Shape
Gros Winery
Website: groswinery.com
Instagram: @groswinery
Gros Winery is a boutique producer focusing on single-vineyard wines that capture the essence of Israel’s diverse terroirs. With meticulous attention to detail, they craft wines that are both authentic and expressive, appealing to connoisseurs seeking depth and character.
Gush Etzion Winery
Website: gushetzion-winery.co.il
Instagram: @gushetzionwinery
Situated in the Judean Hills, Gush Etzion Winery produces wines that reflect the region’s unique microclimate. Their portfolio includes varietals known for freshness and minerality, embodying the spirit of the mountainous terrain.
Jezreel Valley Winery
Website: jezreelwinery.com
Instagram: @jezreelwinery
Founded in 2012, Jezreel Valley Winery aims to create truly Israeli wines that resonate with the local climate and palate. By focusing on Mediterranean varietals and combining traditional and innovative methods, they produce wines that are both authentic and modern.
Matar by Pelter
Website: pelterwinery.com
Instagram: @pelterwinery
Matar is the kosher label of Pelter Winery, offering premium wines crafted with artisanal techniques. Located in the Golan Heights, they produce a range of varietals that showcase the region’s unique terroir, blending tradition with innovation.
Morad Winery
Website: moradwinery.com
Instagram: @moradwinery
Specializing in fruit and herb-based wines, Morad Winery is renowned for its unique flavors like pomegranate and passionfruit. Their innovative approach offers a delightful alternative to traditional grape wines, appealing to adventurous palates.
Château Golan
Website: chateaugolan.com
Instagram: @chateaugolan
Located in the Golan Heights, Château Golan is a luxury winery emphasizing bold character and age-worthiness. Their meticulously crafted wines are known for their depth, complexity, and elegance.
Netofa Winery
Website: netofawines.com
Instagram: @netofawinery
Netofa Winery blends French tradition with Israeli innovation, producing Rhône-style wines that are both expressive and balanced. Their commitment to quality and authenticity is evident in every bottle.
Odem Mountain Winery
Website: odem-mountain.com
Instagram: @odemmountainwinery
As Israel’s northernmost winery, Odem Mountain produces cool-climate wines of elegance and balance. Their portfolio includes varietals that thrive in the unique conditions of the Golan Heights.
Or Haganuz Winery
Website: orhaganuzwinery.com
Instagram: @orhaganuzwinery
Located in the Upper Galilee, Or Haganuz Winery is known for its spiritual heritage and meticulously crafted wines. Their approach combines tradition with modern techniques to produce wines of exceptional quality.
Psagot Winery
Website: psagotwines.com
Instagram: @psagotwinery
Mountain-grown and internationally acclaimed, Psagot Winery produces bold, structured wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Judean Hills. Their commitment to excellence has earned them a place on the global wine stage.
*Raziel Winery
Website: razielwinery.com
Instagram: @razielwinery
A boutique winery producing elegant wines with a focus on terroir expression, Raziel Winery combines meticulous vineyard management with precise winemaking to create wines of distinction.
Segal Winery
Website: segalwines.com
Instagram: @segalwines
One of Israel’s oldest wineries, Segal blends tradition with modern winemaking techniques to produce a diverse range of wines that cater to various tastes and occasions.
Shamay Galilee Winery
Website: shamaywinery.com
Instagram: @shamaywinery
A family-owned winery in the Galilee region, Shamay produces wines that reflect the local terroir, emphasizing authenticity and quality in every bottle.
Shiloh Winery
Website: shilohwinery.com
Instagram: @shilohwinery
Known for its premium kosher wines, Shiloh Winery combines tradition with innovation to produce a range of varietals that are both expressive and refined.
The five wines pictured with Eli Ben-Zaken founder of Domaine Duc Castel are : Razi’el; Blanc du Castel; Petit Castel; Castel Grand Vin and M Dessert Wine.
For more information @israeliwine and www.iwpa.com
