Carmel’s Zichron Ya’acov Wine Cellars was built in 1892 by Baron Edmond de Rothsachild and remains the largest winery in Israel. This is the only winery in Israel where you can see the old, new and ancient world of winemaking in one setting. There are a few large wooden barrels on display, which were used for fermentation in the early days but they were replaced by large cement tanks – and this is the only Israeli winery where these may be seen. Today they in turn have been replaced by stainless steel tanks, temperature controlled by computer, and small 225 liter French oak barrels

At Zichron Ya’acov Cellars, it is also possible to see winemaking on both a massive and small scale - a large commercial winery, a boutique and even a micro-winery for R & D, are on the premises. The size of the stainless steel tanks tell the story – they range from to 500 liters in the micro-winery, to 200,000 liters in the mass market winery.

Zichron is not only the most historic winery in Israel, but it also illustrates the cutting edge of modern winemaking technology. In 2003 a modern, small state of the art facility was added to allow winemaking from individual vineyards on a small scale. It is arguably the best equipped and most up to date winery in the country. Sam Soroka, an experienced winemaker of international repute, was appointed as its winemaker. This is where Carmel’s finest wines are produced from Upper Galilee, Golan Heights and Zichron Ya’acov vineyards.

It is also the only winery in Israel with a restaurant on the premises.

The Wine House – Bayit b’ Yekev

Tel. (972) 4 6290977

Fax (972) 4 6290957

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