Julia Winery

Galilee

Julia Winery is a family boutique winery in Mi'ilya, a Christian village in the Western Galilee near Montfort Castle and the Kziv (Wadi El Qurain) stream. It was founded by George Arraf, an agronomist, together with his son Anan Arraf, a chemical engineer who left his profession for winemaking; the family planted its first vineyard in 2009 and established the winery in 2012. It is named after Julia of the Arraf family. The grapes come from about 2 hectares around the village at 500–600 m elevation, plus contracted Upper Galilee vineyards at Bir'im and Kerem Ben Zimra. This is a small operation — roughly 11,000–15,000 bottles a year. The range includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, a rosé and skin-contact whites, plus the signature blends Bir'im (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with hints of Viognier) and Samara/Sama. A distinctive touch is the original dry-farmed vineyard (the "Baal" method) that relies only on rainfall, set among ancient olive trees and oak groves. The family also keeps an olive plantation. The visit is intimate: a short tour of the barrel room, a personal meeting with the winemaker, and a guided tasting with a plate of local Galilee cheeses. On Friday evenings the balcony runs as a wine bar with a seasonal menu. Entry is 18+; groups of up to 40 are hosted. The winery is not kosher.

Wineries nearby

Start

Haifa

Drive

45 min · 50 km

Where

Miilya

After

Back to events

Visiting info

Where: Mi'ilya, Western Galilee, near Montfort Castle and the Kziv stream. ~50 km / ~45 min from Haifa.
Hours: Fridays and Saturdays roughly 11:00–18:00, with Friday evenings as a wine bar; the winery notes it is also open on other weekdays. Hours vary seasonally — confirm and book ahead before visiting.
Booking: Reservation recommended/required: the official site asks visitors to book ahead via its visit-coordination form, phone or WhatsApp. The Western Galilee Network describes walk-ins as welcome, but booking ahead is advised — especially for tours and groups.
What to try: Tasting: about 35 NIS per person for 3 wines (snack tray per couple) or about 50 NIS for 5 wines; a local cheese platter is about 70 NIS. The flagship is Bir'im (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with hints of Viognier); the winery is also known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, the Samara/Sama blends and skin-contact whites.
Kosher: Not kosher. Tourism listings (Western Galilee Network / Ozrot Hagalil) explicitly state the winery is not kosher. It is a Christian Arab family winery in Mi'ilya; no kosher certification or certifying body is claimed.
Restaurant: No full restaurant — light food only: local Galilee cheese platters and snack trays with tastings, plus a seasonal balcony wine-bar menu on Friday evenings.
With kids: Family-run and welcomes "wine lovers, families, couples and groups," so children may accompany families. That said, the tasting and wine-bar experience is adult-oriented and entry is stated as 18+; there are no dedicated kids' activities.
Contact: Phone 072-394-1159 (also 050-301-2955); email julia.winery@gmail.com; Instagram @julia_winery, Facebook Julia-Winery.
Website: https://juliawinery.co.il/

Frequently asked questions

How far is it from Haifa?+

The winery is in Mi'ilya in the Western Galilee, about 50 km / 45 min drive from Haifa.

Do I need to book?+

Booking is recommended, and at times required: the official site asks you to reserve ahead via its form, phone or WhatsApp. Walk-ins are welcome too, but booking ahead is advised — especially for tours and groups.

Is the winery kosher?+

No. Tourism listings (Western Galilee Network / Ozrot Hagalil) explicitly state the winery is not kosher. It is a Christian Arab family winery; no kosher certification is claimed.

What does a visit include?+

An intimate visit: a short tour of the barrel room, a personal meeting with the winemaker, and a guided tasting with a plate of local Galilee cheeses. On Friday evenings the balcony runs as a wine bar with a seasonal menu. Entry is 18+.

What is the winery known for?+

Its signature red blend Bir'im (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with hints of Viognier), as well as its Cabernet Sauvignon, the Samara/Sama blends and skin-contact whites. A distinctive touch is the original dry-farmed vineyard that lives only on rainfall, among ancient olive trees.

Julia Winery

Visiting info

Frequently asked questions

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