Sunday-Thursday 9:00-13:30
The Desert Shade Farm is managed by Ziv Spector, the farm owner, and the experienced winemaker Ilan Tipati, who specializes in the craft making traditional Nabatean wine that revives the magical desert charm with each new barrel. At the farm, visitors enjoy an authentic, simple, quiet and clean desert experience.
Wine grapes are cultivated on ancient terraces surrounding Mitzpe Ramon using advanced practices on ancient terraces of the Nabateans. The nomads saw opportunity to settle permanently in small farms on the banks of the river of Har HaNegev and used their deep wisdom to collect both rain and flood water and develop successful agricultural activity – growing vineyards yielding fine grapes.
The boutique winery produces a few thousand bottles each harvest, reviving a 2,000 year-old tradition of winemaking on land surrounding the Makhtesh. The wine is made from grapes grown at an altitude of over 600 meters above sea level, aged in oak barrels for a period of 18-24 months.
The winemaking process is done in accordance with Jewish law, but without supervision and therefore there is no Kosher certification.
Located on the cliff overlooking the magical Ramon Makhtesh, the largest nature reserve in Israel, this is a perfect launchpad from which to explore desert trails and Mitzpe Ramon. The farm’s facilities connect visitors to the desert, and include air-conditioned huts with unique ecological construction, stone gathering space and lobby, scenic terraces, firepits, a Bedouin tent, studio for workshops and retreats, star gazing, as well as
the Nabato bar and catering services. Guests can take part in wine workshops, as well as host private events, retreats, and conferences.