Wineries with Restaurants
11.10.2009
There are a few wineries which have their own restaurants. The main ones are situated in the Zichron Ya’acov and Binyamina area. This is the heart of the Israeli wine industry, where the original vineyards were planted in the 1880’s. This small area also contains three of the largest six Israeli wineries, a number of small garagiste wineries and therefore is extremely relevant for the wine tourist. All are easily accessible from Route 2, Route 4 and Route 6. The winery restaurants are as follows:
Bistro de Carmel Restaurant, Carmel Winery, 2 Wine St, Zichron Ya’acov. Tel. +972 (0)4 629 0977.
A Mediteranean style, kosher, dairy restaurant set in a historic 100 year old building, where the winemaker lived up to the 1970’s. The deck area outside is suitable for functions and large parties. Inside there are a number of small rooms of different sizes suitable for private dining, overlooking the winery activity. They serve excellent breakfasts. The foccacia produced in their taboon oven is worth trying.
Tishbi Winery Visitors Center, Industrial Area, Binyamina. Tel. +972 (0) 4 6380434
This is an Israeli style, kosher dairy restaurant, set next to the winery shop offering quality food and wine products produced by the Tishbi family. Here it is possible to sit on a pateo under a pergola of vines in a relaxed atmosphere. Fish cooked on the grill, and local cheeses are recommended here.
Binyamina Winery Visitors Center, Winery Street, Binyamina. Tel. +972 (0)4 6288042/ +972 (0)4 6288424
A kosher restaurant situated in the center of Binyamina, within the winery visitor’s center. The visitor’s center has recently been refurbished. The historic building was used in the 1920’s as a perfume factory. Here it is possible to eat meat dishes. The chicken liver pate and steaks here are well regarded.
The only other winery with a regular restaurant close by, is Tabor Winery, situated in Kfar Tavor – Tabor Village, which sits in the Lower Galilee. Worth a visit, on the way back from touring in the Upper Galilee.
Bordeaux Restaurant, Kfar Tavor, Lower Galilee. Tel. +972 (0)4 6760444.
Though not part of the winery, it is close enough to visit after a visit to Tabor Winery. The food here is local and covers most possibilities. It is a good location for a light meal after a day of touring. Not kosher, and with a variety of fish, seafood and meat dishes to choose from.
There are two wineries that each offer a unique personalized, culinary experience. Both are small boutique, family wineries, who share a passion for food & wine and like to share it with others: Hans Sternbach & La Terra Promessa.
Hans Sternbach Winery, 83 Givat Yeshiyahu, Emek Ha’Ella. Tel. +972 (0)2 9990162.
This is home cooking with the personal touch, hosted by Gadi Sternbach and his wife, Shula Yefet. Here weekend meals are offered for groups that book in advance. The produce used is where possible, home grown and organic. The food is local - Palestinian, Israeli, and eastern Mediterranean. The meat stews, usually cooked in wine and home cured smoked meats, are the highlight.
La Terra Promessa, Kibbutz Gat. Tel. +972 (0)50 5684775/ +972 (0)8 6849093
This is a restaurant owned by Italian born Sandro and Irit, who has Indian roots. The home cooking they offer is a combination of Italian and Cochin cuisine. All the dishes are original and worthwhile. The restaurant is open for advance bookings only.
All these wineries of course offer winery tours and wine tastings, though it always safest to book in advance. |
I buy Israeli wines in my country (Not for Israelis)
