Julia Winery

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.