2011 and 2012 may not be the best of years for fruit in Israel, but it may well be the time when Israel finally starts to get some serious wine press attention! Israel has been receiving accolades and awards from all over the wine press world.

In a string of accolades dating back to 2011, Golan Heights Winery (AKA Yarden Winery) received the Gran Vinitaly Special Award as the best wine producer out of 1,000 competitors from 30 countries at the 19th International Vinitaly 2011 Wine Competition earlier this spring in Verona, Italy.

The award is given to the wine producer achieving the best overall results. The Golan Heights Winery earned two of Vinitaly’s 16 coveted Grand Gold Medals, for its 2009 Yarden Chardonnay Odem Organic Vineyard and its 2008 Yarden Heights Wine. A panel of 105 leading winemakers and wine journalists selected the winners in blind tastings.

“We are extremely proud of being the first Israeli winery to be named the best wine producer at Vinitaly – the top award at one of the world’s most prominent wine competitions,” said Anat Levi, CEO of Golan Heights Winery.

Levi singled out Victor Schoenfeld, Golan Heights head winemaker, for “implementing our vision of quality and excellence for two decades.”

“Israel has been getting more and more recognition internationally as a quality wine producer,” Schoenfeld tells ISRAEL21c. “This award is another stage is this development. I think it is an important accomplishment for Israel.”

Carmel got into the game a year before that, when it won a 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards trophy and the Psagot Winery took gold and silver medals home from the March 2011 Vinalies competition in Paris.

Well now 2012 continues the streak of awards and nominations with a nod to Golan Heights Winery being nominated for the 2012 New World Winery of the Year! Congratulations to the continued successes of Israel Wineries and the Golan Heights Winery – best of luck!