Meishar

Nestled in a region steeped in the tales of Samson and Delilah, David and Goliath, our vineyard thrives in a land once deemed unsuitable for cultivation. Historically overlooked due to its sandy soil and lack of water—first during the Philistine era and later for its challenging conditions for orchards—our venture into viticulture here at Meishar Winery was pioneering. Founded by Chaya and Ze'ev Smilansky in 1990, we were among the first boutique wineries in Israel, initially crafting wines for personal consumption after purchasing a farm in moshav with untouched land.

Despite skepticism about our location's capability to produce fine grapes - owing to its sandy-loamy soil, modest elevation of merely 50 meters, and its climate of humid, hot summers so close to the sea - our farm was once dismissed as "unfit for cultivation" in the 1950s, compensated with land elsewhere for grapefruit farming. Yet, we have demonstrated the potential for exceptional winemaking here through meticulous vine care, including custom adjustments, preparation, irrigation, fertilization, pruning, and harvesting. Our approach diverges significantly from practices in renowned wine regions like the Golan Heights, Jerusalem Mountains, or even Bordeaux and Burgundy.

At Meishar Winery, we adhere to the philosophy that a wine's quality is primarily determined in the vineyard. From the moment the grape cluster is severed from its stem, we embark on the minimalist intervention process of winemaking, harnessing only what the fruit naturally offers, for nothing can be added that the fruit does not possess. Our limited production ensures that connoisseurs of Misher wines recognize and appreciate our meticulous craftsmanship.

Meishar Winery remains an intimate operation focused on producing quality wine for enthusiasts rather than catering to tourist groups or featuring a grand visitor center and retail shop. Our family members personally oversee every aspect of production - from the initial pruning to the final stages of aging and bottling, including the design of our bottles and labels. Our commitment ensures that Meishar wines are exclusively crafted from grapes grown on our land, underscoring the unique terroir behind our winery.

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