Bringing Israel’s Best to the World Stage:Women in Israeli Wine
- 16 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Arnie Draiman
“My journey started with a simple, soulful love for how a single glass of wine can connect
culture, the earth and people,” said Dorit Ben Simon, export director for Recanati Winery. “Over time, that love evolved into a mission. I realized that wine is a language, and through it, I am able to tell the story of a place, an identity and—most importantly—the story of Israel and its rightful place on the world stage.”
Ben Simon is one of a dozen or more female vintners, oenologists and vignerons involved in the kosher wine industry in Israel. They often speak of intuition paired with precision: attentiveness to detail, patience in the vineyard, and a willingness to listen to the grapes, the land and the process itself. These qualities feel strikingly aligned with the poetry of Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs), where wine appears not merely as a beverage, but as a metaphor for love, depth and longing: “For your love is better than wine” (Shir HaShirim 1:2). Wine, in this biblical context, represents intimacy, richness and something that unfolds over time.
There is a powerful parallel here. Like the love described in Shir HaShirim, great wine cannot be rushed. It requires trust in process, faith in growth, and sensitivity to nuance. Many women in winemaking describe their role not as controlling nature, but as partnering with it and guiding rather than forcing outcomes. This approach mirrors the biblical imagery of vineyards carefully tended, watched over with devotion and restraint.
Another prominent woman in the Israeli wine industry is Vered Ben-Saadon, owner of the Tura Winery. When she and her husband married, they decided to take their wedding money and invest it in land, specifically in the Mount Grizim area of the Shomron. They understood that if they set up something agricultural on the land, they would be awarded a much larger parcel of land. And, without a formal business plan or grand vision, the young and deeply idealistic couple chose grapes.
They followed the vision of Jeremiah (31:4-5): “You will plant vineyards on the mountains of the Shomron, and the planters will plant and enjoy their fruit.” This is not just agricultural, but beautifully symbolic. Planting vineyards is a sign of stability, peace and long-term presence. One doesn’t plant vines unless you believe you’ll be there to harvest them. Jeremiah is saying that the people will return, rebuild and live normally again on these hills—not as refugees, but rather as rooted cultivators of the land.
And so, Ben-Saadon became an expert in all things wine. What began with love, faith and hard work quickly proved itself: Their earliest wines earned medals in their first year. Today, she is fully immersed in the winery, leading marketing and presenting Tura’s wines to the world. In a traditionally male-dominated industry, she brings a sensitivity to food, produce and people, advocating for more women in her industry. Balancing extensive travel, family life (three children currently in the IDF) and regional challenges, her proudest moments come when her wine marks life’s most meaningful celebrations. She was chosen to be a Torch Lighter at Israel’s Independence Day ceremonies on Har Herzl in 2024, representing women, wine, pioneers and residents of Judea and Samaria.
Women in the Israeli wine industry bring a distinctive voice to the craft, often describing their work as a balance between science and sensitivity. “At Carmel Winery, many women hold key positions, including senior management, winemaking, purchasing, planning and production roles,” explained Etti Edri, export manager for Carmel Winery and the Yatir Winery.
“My background in a quality-driven winery like Yatir,” continued Edri, “combined with my work at Carmel, allows me to truly understand the story behind each wine—and to communicate it accurately and authentically. Every decision is guided by respect for the wine itself, the people behind it, and the market it is destined for.”
Winemaking, like music, requires both structure and intuition: knowing when to intervene and when to step back, when to follow protocol and when to listen closely to what the wine itself is expressing. In this way, wine becomes its own kind of song shaped by climate, soil, timing and human judgment—each vintage offering a slightly different melody.
Ben Simon of Recanati, who sees herself as an Israeli wine ambassador, is certainly one of the most respected people in the industry. “A defining achievement of my career is my decade as an international judge at Mundus Vini in Europe, where—as the only Israeli woman among thousands of global entries—I represent professional excellence on the world stage,” Ben Simon said proudly.
When asked what advice she would give to the next generation of women considering a career in wine, Edri of Carmel/Yatir responded: “Invest in learning, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to take up space. The wine world needs diverse voices, broad perspectives, and people who know how to connect cultures, markets and stories. Women bring a unique combination of sensitivity, precision and big-picture thinking—and that is a real strength.”
Wine, after all, is more than what is in the glass. It evokes memory, ritual and meaning. In today’s Israeli wine landscape, women are creating a new era of wine grounded in tradition, shaped by experience, leading with confidence into the future.
Arnie Draiman enjoys a great glass of wine, and is a philanthropic consultant helping people and foundations give their tzedaka money away wisely, efficiently and effectively for over 25 years. In addition, he consults to hi-tech startups, and is an expert in social media marketing and promotion. He can be reached at: ajdraiman@gmail.com
Featured Wineries
Tura Winery is a family-owned boutique estate winery founded in 2003 by Vered and Erez Ben-Saadon in the village of Rehelim, producing rich, full-bodied wines from grapes grown at high altitude around Har Brakha in Samaria. It has grown from an initial few thousand bottles to tens of thousands annually, and its wines are known for expressive fruit and careful aging. Tura also operates a visitor center offering guided tastings and experiences that highlight both the winemaking process and the winery’s history. https://www.turawinery.com/en
Recanati Winery, founded in 2000 by Lenny Recanati and Uri Shaked, is a leading Israeli winery in the Upper Galilee dedicated to crafting wines that express the unique terroir of the region and beyond. Over the past two decades it has become known for innovative blends and distinctive Mediterranean and classic varieties, earning international praise and awards. Its new facility and visitor center in Ramat Dalton overlook the Galilean landscape and offer tastings and winery experiences that celebrate both the wines and local culture. https://www.recanati-winery.com/en
Carmel Winery is Israel’s oldest and largest winery, founded in 1882 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild and considered a cornerstone of the modern Israeli wine industry. With vineyards spread across Israel’s key wine regions, Carmel combines a long heritage with contemporary winemaking, producing a wide range of wines from everyday labels to premium single-vineyard selections. https://www.carmelwines.co.il/visitors-center/
Yatir Winery is a pioneering Israeli winery located on the edge of the Yatir Forest in southern Israel, known for producing elegant, age-worthy wines from a unique desert-Mediterranean terroir. Established through a partnership between local growers and a major winery, it is especially acclaimed for its flagship Yatir Forest blend, which has earned international recognition. https://yatirwinery.com/en
Comments