How far is it from Haifa?

The winery is in Kerem Ben Zimra in the Upper Galilee, about 73 km from Haifa — roughly a 71-minute drive.

Yes. Tastings and visits are arranged in advance by phone or via the website contact form; it is best to call ahead rather than rely on a walk-in for a tasting.

Yes. Per the certifications listed on Ya bottles, the wine is kosher: Badatz Eida Haredit Yerushalaim, Badatz Mahzikei Hadat – Belz, and Rabbanut Marom Hagalil.

What is the winery known for?

It is the personal project of senior Israeli winemaker Yossi Ashkenazi, grandson of a founder of Kerem Ben Zimra and a co-founder of Adir Winery. Its signatures are the roughly 80-year-old stone building, estate-only vineyards on the basaltic slopes of Mount Meron (870 m), and a tiny output of about 35,000 bottles a year.

Ya Winery

Q: What does a visit include?

A tasting of the boutique range in and around the historic stone building with vineyard views, paired with cheeses from local Galilee dairies. On Fridays there is a Shabbat-eve reception with wine, cheese and music.

Galilee

Ya Winery is a small boutique winery in the village of Kerem Ben Zimra in the Upper Galilee, launched in 2022 by veteran Israeli winemaker Yossi Ashkenazi. It is his first winery as both owner and winemaker: he is a third-generation farmer and grandson of Binyamin Ashkenazi, a founder of Kerem Ben Zimra, and previously co-founded the nearby Adir Winery (2003). The winery is housed in a stone building about 80 years old. All the grapes come from the family's own vineyards, planted back in the 1990s on the basaltic northern slopes of Mount Meron at around 870 m, with output of roughly 35,000 bottles a year. The flagship is a Cabernet Sauvignon red (for example the 2020, 12 months in French oak, about 13.5% ABV); there is also a 100% Sauvignon Blanc and a Rosé. Tastings take place in and around the historic stone building with sweeping vineyard views, paired with cheeses from local Galilee dairies. On Fridays there is a Shabbat-eve reception with wine, cheese boards and music, and the courtyard is used for small events.

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