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Mony Vineyards: A Boutique Winery in the Slopes of the Judean Foothills
- Feb 4, 2021
By Gregory Aubrey
Situated in the Judean Foothills in the Soreq Valley of Beit Shemesh around 200 meters above sea level, Mony Vineyard is a boutique, family-owned winery tucked away in Israel's Samson wine-growing region. The Samson appellation is recognized as being one of Israel's fastest wine-growing regions, where quality grapes flourish and exceptional winemaking is made, and Mony is no exception!
Established in 2002, Mony has made a name for itself as one of Israel's leading boutique wineries from the Samson region. Today the winery produces up to 300,000 bottles a year, crafting wines from classic varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, and Chardonnay, to more unique grape varieties like Alicante Bouschet, Carignan, and Durif, to name a few.
Headed by Chief Winemaker Sasson Ben Aharon, the Mony portfolio consists of 5 series: Classic, M-Series, Reserve, Supreme, and VIA. These different series encompass different levels; from the more entry-level wines to refined and upscale blends, there's really a wine for every palate out there!
The Vineyards & Winemaking
Producing great tasting wine begins in the vineyards. Since biblical times, the Samson region has been sacred both in terms of Jewish history as well as wine growing. It's also the place where biblical hero Samson lived, thus the naming for one of the wines (read on to find out). It's a dream come true when one gets to produce wine in the land of our ancestors, but it's even more special when the winemakers are able to yield the best quality fruit from top-producing vineyards (and some from their estate vineyard)! These vineyards are scattered throughout the slopes of the Judean Hills in the Soreq Valley, producing wines that are full of character, rich flavor, complexity from aging in French and American oak barrels, and most of all unmatched elegance.
Chief Winemaker Sasson Ben Aharon is no stranger to the art and professionalism of winemaking, with previous experience in creating the now-world-famous The Cave from Binyamina. His understanding of terroir, meticulous viticulture and passion for wine is apparent in every bottle that is produced. With 25+ years of winemaking experience under his belt, he is able to provide that special and unique touch in order to make sure that the production - from the planting, caring, and growing of the grapes to the final stages - is nothing short of first-class. Let's talk about some of the tasteful wines from Mony below.
Mony Vineyard - The Wines
As discussed above, Mony hits all the right notes in producing wines that appeal to every kind of wine drinker out there. The entry-level Classic and M Series is your easy-drinking, fruit-forward wine that you can open up for a casual weeknight dinner, or better yet will make for great kiddush wine. The reds have an impressive structure for entry-level wines, with wonderful acidity and concentrated flavors that are super tasty. Go for one of the white wines for a hot Shabbos day Kiddush and you're guaranteed to enjoy some incredible zesty and flavorful wine, with just the right amount of acidity, fruit-forward character, and a lingering finish that is ever-so pleasant. Feeling fancy? Take it up a notch and opt for the more premium series like the Mony Supreme Tale of Power and Supreme Delilah, or go straight to the "pièce de résistance" and an exquisite choice of first-class wine, the flagship Mony VIA.
The Classic Series
Classic Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Produced from grapes grown in Mony's estate vineyard, this wine was aged in French oak barrels for three months. The medium-bodied Classic Cabernet Sauvignon is bursting with aromas of raspberries and cassis, featuring gentle tannins and well-balanced acidity that make it approachable and enjoyable from the start of the bottle to the last drop.
If you enjoy fruit-forward and easy-drinking wine, give this one a try. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, this medium-bodied wine is packed with juicy concentrated aromas and a palate that is dancing with fresh berries and citrus undertones, followed by a long and refreshing finish that is sure to delight your senses.
Luscious and concentrated fruity aromas take the lead on this medium-bodied dry red wine, with refreshing earthy undertones and lemon on the palate, topped by a long and inviting finish. Expect this wine to be easy-drinking and crowd-pleasing!
Crafted from grapes grown in Mony's estate vineyard, this tasteful Merlot was aged for threee months in French oak barrels, giving the wine just the right amount of complexity and subtle oaky character. Aromas of ripe forest fruits come into play on this medium-bodied wine, with pleasant acidity and finely tuned tannins, making it an ideal choice to pair with food.
Give this refreshing dry white wine a try and explore a world of rich flavors like citrus and gooseberry, with balanced acidity and a long, elegant finish. A quaffable white wine under $12 is all you need these days!
This wonderful and aromatic Riesling is bursting with aromas of lemon zest and melon on the nose, with a palate that is delicately fruit-forward with notes of refreshing citrus, yet perfectly balanced by the wine's acidity and clean finish. Enjoy this Riesling with chicken or fish dishes and chill before serving for best enjoyment.
The M Series
Explore this creative red blend of Alicante Bouschet, Carignan, and Durif; a true Meditteranean sensation! This medium-bodied dry wine is packed with luscious red fruit aromas and flavors, with elegant smokey notes in the backseat and balanced acidity, offering an exciting and pleasant experience.
If you're looking for a great and easy-drinking Cabernet Sauvignon with some complexity and structure at an attractive price point, you've found it here. Medium to full-bodied, this wine is rich in flavors and aromas of blackcurrant, cassis, and subtle French oak, and promises to develop its structure and character over the next 2 years.
Aged in French and American oak barrels in Mony's underground caves, the full-bodied Merlot is dancing with juicy flavors of dark fruits and plums, with elegant complexity from the aging in barrels, with well-integrated tannins and a medium sophisticated finish that is highly enjoyable.
If you like fruit-forward, easy-drinking reds that make for the perfect Kiddush wine or Seder wine, M Wave is worthy of your attention. This semi-sweet Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted using late harvest grapes, giving the wine its sweet character yet providing ample structure and smooth, refined tannins that will undoubtedly be a delight to your palate.
A rich and aromatic dry white wine awaits with the M Chardonnay. On the nose, an inviting bouquet of fresh fruit aromas of lemon and guava takes the lead, followed by a palate that is vibrant and flavorful, perfectly balanced by the wine's bracing acidity and smooth, elegant finish that make this a fantastic Chardonnay at a great value.
This refined blend of Semillon and Chardonnay is elegantly fruit-forward with rich fruity aromas and a refreshing, zesty acidity that makes this semi-dry and medium-bodied wine the ultimate summer wine to enjoy for an outdoor Kiddush. Stock up!
Saving the best for last, the VIA is undoubtedly the "pièce de résistance" from Mony Vineyard. Think big, bold, and juicy. Characterized with aromas of dark forest fruit, coffee, and tobacco, this full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot is simply spectacular. The palate is packed with an array of intense and refined flavors of juicy dark fruit, with sophisticated smoky oak from the aging in oak barrels that intertwine perfectly with the wine's impressive complexity and mouthcoating tannins, and the long lingering finish. While it will be a pleasure to enjoy now after ample decanting, we recommend buying a few to hold over the next couple of years as you watch the flavors of this exceptional wine develop and the tannins soften. Discover this unique and fabulous wine for an unmatched and elegant wine experience today.
Experience Mony Vineyard From The Comfort of Your Home
Order Mony Wines today and experience quality winemaking from the comfort of your home. Whether you want to stock up for summer on the refreshing and aromatic whites or go for the luscious and full-bodied reds, we know you'll love making Mony apart of your table for weeknights, Shabbos, and Yom-Tov. L'Chaim!
