Simon Winery
GalileeSimon Winery is a small family boutique winery founded in 2010 in the cellar of the family home in Kiryat Tivon. Its founder, civil engineer and Technion graduate Zeevi Simon, fell in love with wine while travelling through wineries in France, Italy and Spain, and trained professionally under winemaker Nir Shaham at Sorek Winery. Zeevi Simon remains the head winemaker today. The winery produces about 10,000 bottles a year — roughly two-thirds reds, the rest whites and rosé. Grapes are hand-harvested and aged in French oak. The range includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan, Malbec and Petit Verdot, blends (such as Carmine from Carignan and Syrah, and Crimson from Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot), plus Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, rosé and port. The grapes come from the Kerem Ben Zimra, Binyamina and Kadesh Valley areas. A visit is a tour of the winery with an explanation of the production, followed by a tasting (usually 5 wines). The tasting costs around 75 NIS; for an extra charge you can add a cheese platter and focaccia with sauces. The owner hosts guests personally, which keeps the visit intimate. Visits are by advance reservation only, so you'll need to arrange your visit ahead of time.