By Appointment
To schedule a visit and wine tasting, click here
For large group visits, call: 08-655-5849
The Tzadok family is a true success story of pioneering spirit, vision, and perseverance in the Negev desert. In 1979, driven by Zionist values and a deep desire to make the desert bloom, Alon and Nira Tzadok left their family homes in the north and embarked on a journey to Israel’s southern regions. Initially involved in establishing a workers’ moshav near the Egyptian border, they soon discovered the immense agricultural potential of the Negev. Their love for wine—rooted in family heritage and a passion for farming—quickly became a central pillar of their journey.
In 1997, Alon and Nira decided to establish a small winery and began planting the first 10 dunams (2.5 acres) of Cabernet Sauvignon vines—an endeavor that initially raised many eyebrows but proved itself over time.
Through the years, with professional training and studies undertaken by their sons Yogev and Gilad, the winery underwent ongoing technological improvements and rebranding. From a modest production of 3,000 bottles in 2000 to a commercial-scale output of nearly 500,000 bottles today—sold under the name “Ramat Negev Winery”—the family has shown that a true success story is built on passion, intergenerational knowledge, and the ability to adapt to market and technological changes. Each bottle produced at the winery stands as a testament to their authentic family tradition, deep connection to the desert soil, and the integration of creativity and innovation in crafting world-class wines.
The Tzadok family firmly believes that great wine starts in the vineyard. Their vineyard, planted in 1996 in the heart of the Negev region, spans approximately 60 dunams. The area enjoys warm sunlight during the day and cold winds at night—an ideal combination for grape growing. The intense sunlight boosts the vine’s photosynthesis process, while the cold nights stimulate renewed growth and vigor, resulting in early and high-quality yields.
The vineyard specializes in red varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, as well as white varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The vineyard’s isolation ensures its cleanliness—free from pests and disease—allowing the family to harvest at night, with the grapes going directly into a meticulous winemaking process at the winery.
Additionally, Ramat Negev Winery sources premium grapes from the finest plots in the Negev Highlands, producing a wide range of wines deeply rooted in the desert terroir.
Kadesh Barnea Series
A tribute to the pioneers of the Negev who made the desert bloom. This is a classic, fruity, and youthful series featuring rosé and soft, approachable red wines made from a variety of grapes harvested throughout the Negev and Negev Highlands. The wines are aged for 8–10 months in American oak barrels. They are accessible to all wine lovers seeking great value for their investment.
Neve Midbar Series
A reserve wine series celebrating the winery’s innovation through original blends sourced from select plots in the Negev and Negev Highlands. This series includes both white and dry red wines aged for approximately 14 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels.
Ramon Series
The winery’s flagship series – Single Vineyard.
Each harvest season, the best-performing vines from Kadesh Barnea, Chalutsa, and other Negev Highland vineyards are carefully selected for their exceptional quality and intriguing fruit.
The winemaking process begins with pruning and thinning the vines to maintain low yields and ensure fruit quality. Grapes are hand-picked in the cool morning hours. At the winery, after gentle crushing, the juice undergoes a carefully controlled fermentation to extract color and flavor from the skins and must. This is followed by a long aging process—16–18 months in French oak barrels, and several additional months in the bottle.
Exodus Series
The winery’s premium line.
This series features Exodus Red—a dry red wine made from Malbec and Petit Verdot, aged for 30 months in oak barrels from Burgundy—and Exodus White, made from Chenin Blanc grapes, aged for 10 months. The wines are unfiltered.
Special Wines
Fortified wines in the style of Port and Golden Port, offering a unique expression of the Negev’s terroir.
The winery has a visitors’ center offering tours, wine tastings, and a cheese platter for an additional fee. Surrounding the winery are agricultural greenhouses that offer guided tours and self-picking experiences.
