Golan Heights Winery Expands its Gamla Series Golan Heights Winery Expands its Gamla Series with First-Time Introduction of a Syrah Varietal Wine

Accessible 2009 Gamla Syrah joins previously released
Syrah wines under the Gamla label

Golan Heights Winery, the leading premium winery in Israel, has expanded its Gamla series of wines with the first-time introduction of a Syrah varietal wine – the 2009 Gamla Syrah. The new wine, which is made entirely from Syrah grapes grown in vineyards on the cool Golan Heights, joins previously released Syrah wines under the winery’s Yarden label.

“Syrah is a noble variety that has acclimated itself extremely well to our unique growing conditions in the Golan. Our previously released Yarden Syrah wines, including a number of outstanding single-vineyard wines, successfully express Syrah’s distinct varietal characteristics, and are winning acclaim in Israel and abroad,” said Arnon Harel, Marketing Manager of Golan Heights Winery. “In light of growing demand for our quality varietal wines, we decided to introduce a new Syrah wine under our Gamla brand, which is known worldwide as offering excellent wines at exceptional value. The launch of this new Gamla Syrah enables us to expose our distinctive Syrah wines to a wider audience of wine enthusiasts across the globe.”

About the Wine
The 2009 Gamla Syrah presents raspberry, blackberry and plum fruit notes layered with hints of earth and smoke. This accessible and drinkable Syrah displays satisfying body and attractive flavor intensity. The wine aged for one year in French oak barrels.

Ready to enjoy now, the 2009 Gamla Syrah should remain in fine drinking condition for about five to seven years from harvest. Try pairing the wine with lamb kofta (meatballs), smoked sausages or spicy pizza.

Analytical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%; TA: 6.4g/l; pH: 3.58; RS: dry.

2009 Vintage
At the end of 2008, farmers faced potentially severe water cuts after receiving only half of normal annual rainfall. A very wet February and March brought precipitation back to the seasonal average. A warm June with wet soil profiles caused sudden and pronounced shoot growth. Moderate summer temperatures and higher than normal relative humidity caused a period of slow ripening that abruptly ended with dryer weather at the end of September. Intense harvesting lasted through the end of vintage in late October.

 Appellation

The Galilee (or Galil) is the most northern, and generally considered the best, appellation in Israel. The Golan Heights (or simply the Golan) is the region within the appellation with the coldest temperatures and highest quality grapes. The vineyards on this volcanic plateau rise from 400 meters (1,300 feet) to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) above sea level, and receive snowfall in the winter.

Golan Heights Winery is located in the town of Katzrin in the central Golan.