Shiloh Winery: Where Grapes Would Grow & Wine Would Flow

By Gregory Aubrey

“They Will Come And Plant Vineyards On The Hills Of The Shomron..” Since 2000, Shiloh Winery has been making flavorful wines on the hills of Shiloh, bringing this once prophecy to life. In an area described in the Bible as a place where grapes would grow and wine would flow, Chief Winemaker Amichai Lourie has established Shiloh as one of Israel’s best-producing wineries.

Shiloh Winery celebrates Israel’s ancient connection with winemaking. The local area is home to numerous ancient wine presses and vines that grew on the nearby Samarian Hills thousands of years ago. Today, Shiloh seeks to revive this ancient tradition by producing exceptional wines that can be enjoyed by Jewish families and communities all over the globe.

You may have seen his videos, tasted his wines at your Shabbos table or at restaurants throughout the country, or visited him in Israel at the winery - and I think you can agree that his warmth and passion for the wine and the land of Israel is apparent from the moment you speak with Amichai, or through tasting his award-winning wines.

Passion, Location, Dedication

Amichai Lourie - one of the most talented and passionate winemakers in the Kosher Wine world, has combined all three ingredients to craft a winning recipe. When he joined Shiloh Winery in 2005, Amichai quickly gained a stellar reputation for his professionalism and quality, and it is thanks to him that Shiloh is now one of the most award-winning wineries coming out of Israel.

His ability to work with different grapes and consistently producing special blends as well as single varietals that are of the utmost quality year after year is truly incredible. From Wine Spectator to Wine Enthusiast and Wine Advocate, Shiloh wines have received raving reviews and awards. It’s without a doubt due to the true passion, dedication, and the vineyard’s location that have allowed for these wines to become so famous and sought-after worldwide. 

The vineyard lies at an elevation between 650 to 900 meters above sea level in the heart of the Samarian Hills, which benefits from the region’s climate of cool nights and warm days, making it optimal conditions for the grapes to flourish. Today, Shiloh is continuing to plant more and more vineyards, as the demand for their wines continues to rise.

Numbers & Shiloh Wine

300: The number of tons needed to produce 200,000 bottles of wine!

12 AM: The time of night when temperatures start to drop and harvest begins.

1-2 Days: The time it takes for some wines to taste even better than when first opened!

10 to 13 Years: The aging potential of Shiloh’s wines according to Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, and Wine Enthusiast.

2007: The year Shiloh started making Mevushal wines.

2017: One of the best vintages for Shiloh’s Petite Sirah Secret Reserve

93: The score that Mark Squires, a renowned wine critic, gave The Legend Fiddler 2009 (Mevushal!)

Shiloh Wines to Watch (And Savor, Too)

1. Mosaic Series

Mosaic Exclusive Edition 2016: A refined blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc offering dark fruit aromas with hints of coffee, vanilla, and spice. Well-balanced and full-bodied, the palate on this wine echoes scents of black fruit, prunes, cherry, and dark cocoa. This is an excellent bottle to savor now or to age for a few more years.

Mosaic: Shiloh’s flagship wine is an elegant and opulent blend of 40% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, that has been aged for 20 months in French oak barrels. Deep purple in color, the wine has intense dark berry aromas and notes of roasted coffee beans on the nose that are complemented beautifully by the complex and varied flavors of black fruit, blueberry, and raspberry. The rich tannins, soft acidity and full-bodied character of the wine make it stand out as an incredibly bold, yet delicate wine. 

2. Secret Reserve

Secret Reserve Petit Verdot: Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months, this wine has excellent complexity and balance. The grapes for this wine were night-harvested from Israel’s finest vineyards, resulting in a wine that is full of powerful fruit aromas and spice. The intense flavors from this wine along with its silky and elegant body make this an excellent choice for those seeking an outstanding wine. Drink now or hold for a few years.

Secret Reserve Petite Sirah: This full-bodied and unfiltered wine is bold, rich, and fruity with an abundance of complex and elegant flavors of fruit and spice. It was aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels and rested in Shiloh’s finest barrels before bottling, resulting in a wine that is truly exceptional with a finish that is smooth and enjoyable. While this wine can be enjoyed now, the structure will soften over the next few years and its taste will continue to improve.

Secret Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon: The Secret Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich and robust wine bursting with beautiful aromas of black plum, cassis, and light pepper notes on the nose, and a sophisticated palate showcasing flavors of dark berries, coffee, and licorice. The finish has a delicate kick to it, with hints of spice and cocoa.

Secret Reserve Merlot: This single-vineyard Merlot is a splendid representation of the Judean Hills terroir. Its delicate yet intense character is highlighted by aromas of ripe berries, spice, and cocoa. The palate features an elegant and voluptuous texture that just keeps on lingering, with intense flavors of cherry and light notes of vanilla, partly (and thankfully) due to its 20 months aging in French oak barrels. Wonderful to drink now or to hold for a few more years.

Secret Reserve Shiraz: For those who like bold, rich, and fruity wines with a little spice, the Secret Reserve Shiraz is for you. On the nose, look for a beautiful and complex bouquet of coffee and vanilla, followed by a palate which is full of dark red fruits and delicate oak. The medium acidity and long, lingering finish make this wine a beautiful addition to one’s cellar or Shabbos table.

3. Legend Series

Legend Honi: This rich and multilayered blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc was aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, giving the wine its complex characteristics of dark red fruits, light tobacco, and oak. Enjoy now or add to your cellar to further improve this incredible and sophisticated wine.  

Legend Fiddler: Named after the Fiddler On The Roof, the Shiloh Legend Fiddler is a unique blend of Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Shiraz. This wine was aged for 15 months in both French and American oak barrels, giving the wine a refined complexity and flavors of dark fruits, vanilla, and oak. This wine is the perfect companion to pair with a juicy steak.

4. Shor

Shor Merlot: The Shor Merlot is bursting with aromas of fresh berries, cherry, and licorice, with delicate notes of vanilla and wood. The palate is full of raspberry, blueberry, and strong tannins, giving the wine a long and pleasant finish. 

Shor Cabernet Sauvignon: Aged in French oak barrels for 15 months, this aromatic and rich Cabernet Sauvignon showcases a beautiful bouquet of cherries, cassis, and plum on the palate, with hints of spice and vanilla on the palate. This full-bodied wine is a pleasure to drink now and can also benefit from some aging, helping round out and soften the rich tannins from the wine. 

Shor Barbera: The Barbera grape is characterized by strong and aromatic flavors of tart cherry, licorice, blackberry, and black pepper. This Shor Barbera from Shiloh is a beautiful representation of this varietal, with a medium body and high acidity. Bursting with blackberry and notes of coffee, chocolate, and black pepper, this wine can be enjoyed now or will benefit from 3 to 7 years in the cellar.

5. Privilege

While the Privilege is considered the entry-level wine from Shiloh, its quality resembles that of expensive Israeli wine. This wine is an elegant and complex blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, and Cabernet Franc that was aged for 6 months in French oak barrels. With a pleasant bouquet of fresh ripe fruits and subtle notes of vanilla, the Privilege is truly representative of its name - a privilege to drink and enjoy.

6. The Whites

Sauvignon Blanc: Grown in vineyards of Israel’s Judea and Samaria, the Shiloh Sauvignon Blanc features a gold color, with lovely aromas of ripe citrus fruits, passion fruit and white peach both on the nose and palate. 

Chardonnay: The Shiloh Chardonnay is a very fruit-forward and crisp wine that has a beautiful balance of soft peach and tropical fruit flavors with green and citrus-like notes. It’s the perfect white wine to drink outdoors during the summer or with grilled vegetables or fish.

7. The Rosé

This Shiloh Rosé is definitely geared toward the wine drinkers who enjoy more fruit-forward flavors, bursting with a strong bouquet of honeysuckle, strawberries and pink grapefruit on the nose, and a palate that is pleasantly reminiscent of red, sweet tropical fruits with hints of stony minerals. The wine’s refreshing acidity and crisp finish makes it the perfect accompaniment to light summer foods.

Explore Shiloh

Taste through Israel's beautiful vineyards and the quality and craftsmanship of Amichai Lourie's Shiloh Wines. We know you'll taste the passion, love of the land of Israel and professionalism through every sip you drink. While it's hard to travel to Israel anytime soon, here's a wonderful video below from the renowned Israeli singer Gad Elbaz, filmed at Shiloh Winery. L'Chaim!