Wine Master Articles
KIBBUTZ TZORA WINERY
Kibbutz Tzora winery is the flag bearer of Israeli Terroir; the term it is not only metaphorically mentioned, it is applied literally, in the vineyard, ditto in its wines, according to Ronny James, the man behind every single bottle produced by the winery.
Terroir is a term used by many, understood by few. How can two seemingly similar sites, even within a single vineyard, produce wines of different quality, using the same equipment and winemaker? How much credit goes to the winemaker and how much belongs to nature itself?
There is one famous example to emphasize the notion of terroir: wines of Chateau Petrus versus La Fleur Petrus, their vineyards close almost touching each other, never producing similar wines, although the winemaker and owner are the same.
Rony James, the winemaker since the winery inception has gone a long way, as a pioneer from its very first beginnings, continuing along a defined line of quality wine production. The beginnings were modest as only an Israeli Kibbutz can be. The kibbutznicks were and still are vine growers, qualified vintners with a long and successful experience, selling their grapes to the large wineries. For the last twenty two years, they made a change: they keep on selling their grapes to other wineries, but the best part of their grapes are made into wines at the kibbutz winery.
The inception of a new winery
By the late 80- s Ronny had a dream to produce its own wine from the Kibbutz grapes. Ronny's fixed idea becomes a leitmotiv, repeated on every kibbutz meeting, with no results. Time and again, the Kibbutz management had to agree to allocate space and some money to the so called "Ronny's adventure".
One has to remember that a Kibbutz is a most democratic unit where every single decision is made by a unanimous voting, where any kibbutz member can veto. It took Rony James more than ten years to convince his colleagues that "producing their own wines from their own grapes" will add to the kibbutz income, and help develop their own vineyards to better and higher standards. It was a real tough fight.
With little or no budget, rudimentary equipment sometimes borrowed from a neighboring winery, the little boutique winery produced its first 1500 bottles of wine in 1993. The rest is history.
Nowadays, Tzora winery is producing around 60.000 bottles of wine, whites and reds, corresponding to the different terroirs!
The Best of Tzora Winery
2003 MERLOT estate wine
Two vineyards are the source of simple and tasty wine; Shoresh vineyard along the Jerusalem main highway and Givat Halukim on the Shimshon valley.
Lovely red, good acidity, soft tannins, plums and a dash of berry fruit. Drink now.
2003 CABERNET SAUVIGNON – Givat Halukim
This is an estate wine from the kibbutz vineyard.
Shiny garnet, good body, this wine has class. It develops in the glass showing ripe berries and plums. Drink now and till 2009.
2003 CAB – ZIN
A new wine with a touch. The Zinfandel (33%) is a good addition to the Cabernet, adding fruit and spices. Dark ruby, shows its fruit from the first taste. Smooth, defined, good balance and long finish. Buy and drink.
2003 CABERNET SAUVIGNON – Ilan
A smooth blend with a dash of Merlot (15%), the wine shows good structure with a superb fruity nose covered in smoky wood. Good body, plenty of fruit, currants, plums with some wood still strong.
A very good wine, to enjoy now and during the next three years.
2003 MISTY HILLS – Ilan
The flag wine of the winery is an as! Once again, the Neve Ilan vineyard has shown a superb quality of fruit.
Dark Royal purple, this blend of Cabernet and Merlot has a defined body, good structure and plenty of fruit; black berry, chocolate, tobacco, and good alcohol. Drink now, even better during the next five years.
To Buy Tzora wine please contact Best Vintage
The Bible of Israeli Wines
The most comprehensive guide to the new and fascinating world of Israeli wines, it is the first and only English-language book about the vines and wines of old and modern Israel.
An informative, richly illustrated presentation of the local history, geography, climate, soils, grapes, wines and their vintners and winemakers, by winery location. Includes an overview of religious traditions and a host of suggestions for matching Israeli wines and food. With an introduction by Baron Eric de Rothschild, the Master of Chateau Lafite in Bordeaux. The author, Michael Ben-Joseph, an ex-airline Captain is a Wine Master and author of three other books on wines.