Sunday-Thursday 10:00-16:00
by appointment
Yatir Winery was founded in the year 2000 as a joint venture between local vintners and the Vinters Union to develop the outstanding potential of the Yatir region in the southern Judean Hills. The area is home to a rich history of wine production dating back to the sophisticated wine industry in this area over 2,500 years ago, during the first reign of the kingdom of Judah. The winery was built at the foot of the Tel Arad fortress, just ten minutes away from their forest vineyards.
Producing approximately 150,000 bottles each year, the wines continually earn high scores, special recognition, and prestigious medals. The first wines to go to market were from their 2001 harvest, at which time the winery had 3 series of blends: Yatir Forest – flagship wine, Yatir River, and Har Amasa, as well as a series of single varieties.
The vineyards were planted 900 meters above sea level and are scattered throughout the forest – they vary in soil composition, slants and angles. Cool, breezy mornings; dry, sundrenched days; cold nights and snowy winters distinguish the unique terroir. Well-drained soils, rich in limestone, allow the vine grapes to remain naturally low – ideal conditions for growing quality red grape varieties.
The winery maintains the distinctive characteristics of each of the plots throughout the production process, and has set the goal to emphasize the region’s uniqueness in it’s wines – the ‘Yatiri’ character that the winery’s vintners and winemakers are proud of. Quality is ensured through their meticulous selection of plots, cultivation of wine grape varieties, harvesting, fermenting, aging, and bottling using state-of-the art equipment.
The winery offers guided tours and wine tastings, and in the area, there are many interesting sites to explore, including hiking trails in the Yatir forest, Foresters Lookout, Anim ancient biblical village ruins, Tel Arad, and enchanting ancient wine presses.
