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Barkan Wine Cellars: Kosher Wine from Israel

Getting to know Barkan Wine Cellars

The Barkan Wine Cellars traces its origins to a winery in Petah Tikva founded in the late 19th century. Barkan Wine Cellars was founded when their owners relocated the production facilities to Kibbutz Hulda in 1990. Now they are the second largest wine producer in Israel, producing between 5-9 million bottles a year from grapes sourced from their vineyards in the Golan Heights, the Galilee, Mount Tabor, the Jerusalem Mountains, and Mitzpe Ramon. Barkan is perhaps most well-known for creating wines that you don't need to compromise your budget to enjoy.

Barkan winery - a wine paradise

Barkan's Head winemaker, Ido Levinson, studied winemaking the University of Milan, and continued studying in Tuscany before working as a winemaker in France, Australia, and Israel. He uses his international travelling experiences to continue his development and the development of his process in modern winemaking.

Barkan Winery

What makes Barkan Winery Unique?

The search for pristine soils to create Barkan's premium wines traversed mountain ridges and lush valleys. Microclimates and seasonal adaptations were studied carefully until the most suitable soils were discovered. The vines were then planted in the very best plots to produce exquisite fruits in high yields.

It's not just soil that makes Barkan wines so unique. Since its inception, Barkan’s winemakers have incorporated top-grade breeds into their vineyards. These breeds were sourced from growing climates all over the world to create new and exciting varietal wines and blends. Each Barkan wine tells a story about a single grape seeds journey and the astounding flavors it can produce.

Barkan Winery

Today, the myriad of different soils that constitute Barkan’s carefully managed vineyards contribute to powerful and expressive wines that showcase their rich Mediterranean viticulture heritage. Turn to this respected winery when you are in search of Kosher wines that offer unmatched quality and flavor.

Barkan is an innovative and progressive winery that utilizes lading industrial technologies to produce some of Israel’s finest and most exceptional wines. From their top of the line crusher, pneumatic press, and temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, Barkan ensures optimal quality in the winemaking process. The winery uses separate tanks for each parcel and varietal it harvests in order to ferment every batch to maintain the authentic and unique characteristics of each vineyard.

Barkan Vineyards | About Barkan Winery

What does Barkan Wine Cellars bring to the table?

Barkan has several series of wines with different criteria for each series. Some of their wines are based on region, some are based on altitude above sea level, but each series has its own journey from the vine to your table.

1) Superieur Series

The Superieur Series is made from the highest quality grapes and is aged in the highest quality casks. It is the apex level of quality in their creation of a selected reserve wine.

The Barkan Superieur Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for 21 month in French Oak Barrels of the highest quality. It has a dark garnet color, and aromas of black cherry and fresh oregano. Gentle tannins underlay the cherry, cassis, mint, coffee, and herbal flavors. There is a continuing complexity with an herbal and citrus finish. Wine Enthusiast has given this wine 89 points, and it has received Gold Medals from Vinalies and others.

2) Altitude Series

Comparing Barkans Altitude Series is an interesting topic for conversation and a spectacular experiment for a wine tasting. Using only vines from certain altitudes above sea level, you can see how the altitude plays a factor in the taste of the same varietal.

For Cabernet Sauvignon, you could try the Altitude +624 and taste the subtle but intense flavors of stewed plum and wet asphalt framed by fresh vanilla bean, or you could try the Altitude +720 with flavors of red and black fruit, and an earthy aroma reminiscent of green fields.

3) Special Reserve Series

The winemakers at Barkan, are pushing to determine the best regions for certain varietals of grape and they created these wines as part of that solution. 

The Barkan Special Reserve Winemaker's Choice Chardonnay has a rich, golden color and a mature bouquet of dried pineapple and apricot. Its taste is reminiscent of lemon and gooseberries and is consistently acidic from the mid palate through the finish that is smooth and round.

4) Reserve Series

Barkan's Reserve Series is composed of individual varietal wines from different vineyards that are blended to control the flavor required for making perfected wine of each varietal.

The Barkan Reserve Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon is barrel aged for at least 20 months, mostly in French oak, to establish its balanced character. The result is an elegant rich and dark wine that will continue to improve in the bottle for several years. It has received Gold Medals from Vinalies and Terravino.

The Barkan Reserve Barrel Aged Merlot is is aged for 14 months in American and French oak barrels. This wine is full-bodied, dark, and balanced with rounded tannins, and a bouquet of spice and berry flavors. It has received a Gold Medal from the Challenge International du Vin.

The Barkan Reserve Barrel Aged Chardonnay is an elegant, complex blend of the buttery character of the barrel fermentation and the clean crisp freshness of mountain grown Chardonnay. It has received several Gold Medals from Chardonnay du Monde.

5) Classic Series

Barkan's Classic Series is made using classic, tried and true techniques that you know and love. This series has the largest variety of wines to choose from due to the traditional, rather than experimental behavior of the winemaking involved.

This series has classic red wines like the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Malbec, Petite Sirah, and Pinot Noir, blended red wines like Merlot/Argaman, and Pinotage, and white wines like Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay.

Learn more at Barkan Wine Cellars website here, or visit Barkan Wine Cellars the next time you are in Israel.

Now that you have learned about the Barkan Wine Cellars, try one of their wines today!