Producing Wine at a War Front: Report from Israel

Winemaking and vineyard management, peaceful endeavors that continue to grow in number and size throughout the world, it is worth noting that the glassy-winged sharpshooters and microbrial infections aren't the worst hazards facing winemakers. We thought this report from Israel was interesting and will share it with you.

------------------------------------------------
Greetings

Royal Wine Corp. is pleased to bring you the latest update in our corporate wine-related releases.

ISRAELI WINE AND WAR STORIES DURING LEBANON CONFLICT
“It seems like we survived a real threat that may have ruined our harvest,” declared Sasson Ben Aharon, chief winemaker for Binyamina wineries. Their vineyards are located in Binyamina situated between Haifa and Hadera both which were under attack by some of the 3000 rockets discharged by Hizbullah, during the recent war. Some of their vineyards were declared closed military zones and proved inaccessible. “We were expecting a bumper crop,” he continued, “Since the weather had been gratifying and the grapes looked bountiful.”

CEO Ilan Hasson was telephoned, during the war, by Royal Wine’s VP of Marketing, Jay Buchsbaum, with a request to arrange a shipment but when Buchsbaum realized that Hasson was in a hurry he asked why the rush? Hasson’s reply stunned him. Apparently, he was a long time medic and had just been called up to Lebanon. He was trying to stop by his wife and family in Ramat Gan to say goodbye before leaving for the front. When Buchsbaunm told him to forget the business request, Hasson merely shrugged it off and said, “Here the war is a part of our lives. I will take care of it, just like it was any other day.”

Ed Salzburg is the winemaker for Barkan one of Israel’s major players in the increasingly prominent role Israeli wines are enjoying on the world-wine stage.He took a memorable tour 2 weeks ago surveying the vineyards all over and specifically evaluating any damage. He uttered a prayer at each vineyard especially at Dishon and Dovev located at the northern border with Lebanon with tears in his eyes. “But they were tears of relief “, admitted Salzberg “Since there was actually little visible damage. But only after we harvest this month will we know if there was infiltration by smoke or the like.”

In Jerusalem, far removed from the hostilities, a related story was unfolding as Arnon Geva, part owner and son-in-law of Eli Ben Zaken, owner and winemaker, called a special meeting of the staff and workers? “ We may be spared this time,” Geva told the congregated workers, “But have our sales force recommend to all of our distributors to demonstrate support and order wines from our competitors in the Galilee up north. We are, after all, one big family.

”Yoav Levy is the guy in charge of the reputable Batzelet Hagolan winery. Facing Syria on the disputed Golan Heights, Levy was relieved at the relative quiet. “Only 90 katyushas fell on the Heights” Followed by a sigh. “Only 90. I guess the Syrians are protecting land they are hoping to recover. “ He went on to list the collateral damage which was defined by the conspicuous absence of tourists. Wineries are dependent on visitors who tour the winery and purchase product. “It was dead, not a soul,” he commiserated” But fortunately, we sustained no loss of life and that’s what’s important. They can kill the business as long as they human life is spared.”

Although Carmel Israel’s oldest winery has its headquarters in Rishon Letziyon in the Central plain, it has a number of vineyards up north. Winemaker Lior Laxor is also postponing judgment until the harvest is in. It has just now begun to be collected and in the Ben Zimra area there were many hits from rockets, which pelted the North. Often there were fires that needed to be extinguished. “During the fighting, we missed the leafing and spraying rituals that pre-empts the harvest,” bemoaned Laxor “But the crop looks healthy and abundant. We are hopeful.”

Hamasrek, like Castel, were protected in the Judean Hills but the call came to chief winemaker Nahum Greengrass that he was needed on the front lines. Before answering the call, he recruited his brother to come in and mind the store (vineyard that is). “After all,” he reminded his sibling, “Isn’t that what brothers are for?”

Cheers!

Martin Davidson
Director of Communications
718-534-0172
Royal Wine Corp.
63 Le Fante Lane
Bayonne, NJ 07002