The Negev is a vast piece of land so it takes an effort to find the very best wineries in the Negev. The Negev covers more than half of Israel, at least half of the country’s land area. It forms an inverted triangle shape whose western side is contiguous with the desert of the Sinai Peninsula, and whose eastern border is the Arabah valley. The Negev has a number of interesting cultural and geological features. Among the latter are three enormous, craterlike Makhteshim (box canyons); which are unique to the region: Makhtesh Ramon, HaMakhtesh HaGadol, and HaMakhtesh HaKatan.
But after you’ve done some exploring where can have a nice glass of wine with some food accompanied to it. In my opinion, one of the very best wineries in the Negev is Yatir Winery. Yatir Winery is an Israeli winery in Tel Arad, Israel. Yatir’s vineyards are situated on a hill 900 meters above sea level on the outskirts of Yatir Forest (officially the biggest planted forest in Israel). Planting of the vineyards commenced in 1997.
Furthermore, Eran Goldwasser, a graduate of Adelaide University, is the chief winemaker. Today the winery is owned by Carmel Winery. And as of 2012 annual production is about 150,000 bottles. Worth mentioning that Yatir’s wine has received accolades from critics such as Robert Parker. So it is the first Israeli wine to be listed in the main selection of Selfridges in London. On the grounds of the winery, 180 ancient wine presses have been discovered.
Very Best Wineries in the Negev: Nana Winery
So Nana Estate Winery is located in the deep desert of Israel near the city of Mizpe Ramon. In fact, they offer wine tours of the vineyard and wine tasting at the visitor center that sits in the middle of the vineyards. All wine we produce is made out of only the grapes we grow at our farm site. It’s amazing to me how they can actually grow anything in that arid land. But they make wonders I must admit. When I went there last time I was amazed and loved their wine. So if you want a great way to end a tour, this is the place.
