6 Questions with Max Herzberg from Herzberg Winery

Situated between Ramleh and Rehovot, on the gentle slopes of Moshav Sattria, lays the 10 dunam (roughly 2.5 acres) of the Domaine Herzberg Winery. Domaine Herzberg is a family owned and operated, organic winery; it operates using a French model that pays homage to the Herzberg family’s origin.

Max Herzberg is a former microbiologist, and the owner and operator of the Domaine Herzberg Winery. We had an opportunity to sit down with him to learn a bit more about his wine, and the story of the Domaine Herzberg.

Sure! My love for wine began when I was studying science at a college in France, and I’ve been interested in agriculture ever since. Back in 1975, I planted oranges and a flower garden. I am a microbiologist by profession, and I took a break from the land once I got more involved in managing my Biotech Diagnostic startup. In 2005, freed from my industrial responsibilities, I began making wine for family and friends. I had gained prior experience in producing wines from my past years in France and by staying with friends in Bordeaux. We chose to plan vineyards on our entire 2.5 acres of land. My children and the other children of the Moshav (settlement) help with our family winemaking. Specifically, my son Yoel played a big part in the winery and still helps run the graphics and marketing aspects. Producing organic grapes is part of our agricultural philosophy. 

Because I was raised in Paris, wine has always been a part of my upbringing and culture. Wine is an elaborate product which gives justice to the most generous fruit of all: the grape. It is not by chance that Kiddush is made on wine and not on another fruit juice. I wanted to create strong wines which show respect to the fruit and terroir. 

Today, the bulk of the work is done by my son and I. But my wife helps a lot as well, and our grandchildren participate in many of the steps leading up to the harvest. In fact, every year we have a full family gathering where we harvest together and make a family batch of Tirosh for Kiddush wine. The wines are stored in wooden barrels for at least a year.

We produce organic wines without looking for any certificate. It’s just part of our agricultural philosophy. Our wine are strictly Estate Wines, and we create them only from grapes that we personally grow, so that we can decide the exact moment of harvest time. We are mostly old world as we do not use a lot of flavored wood or additives. All our wines are stored in wooden barrels for at least a year and then more two years bottled in controlled temperatures. 

After two successful seasons here, we’re now focusing on our Rosé, which is quickly gaining popularity. We produce a very dry Rosé together with our more traditional reds, including Village, Malbec and Reserve. We also have some new ideas and wines in the works!

Of course! We’re open for tours and love greeting visitors. Please make sure to contact us in advance before stopping by to make sure we’re around. Or you can follow us on Facebook where we announce our special events and wine tastings.

Looking to taste some of Herzberg's organic, estate wines? Shop all of our Domaine Herzberg wines below.