Since biblical times Israel was known as a region that made quality wine. From excavations archeologists have uncovered over 20 ancient wine presses from over 2100 years ago in the Jerusalem Hills. Historians know that Israel exported millions of jugs of wine throughout the Mediterranean and Asian trading routes because archeologists have found wine jugs with the symbol of Israeli ports.
Israel has gone through her ups and downs within the wine industry but in 2011 the Israeli Wine Industry is thriving and on a huge up-swing. Boutique wineries are opening on a frequent basis and Israel is producing approximately 35 million bottles annually.
Now that Israelis, tourists and wine lovers from around the world can enjoy quality wine from Israel, they want to visit these vineyards just like they do in Napa, StellenboIsch, Bordeaux or Adelaide, but unfortunately Israel is not at the caliber of these countries, however it is getting there quickly.
Israel has over 300 wineries (35 industrial and the remaining medium and boutique size). Of these 300 wineries only a small percent are known by the majority of the Israeli wine lovers. Most of these wineries have a website, but not all websites are in English. The tourism around the wine industry is slowly growing but there is much needed work from the Ministry of Tourism, wineries and tour operators.