The Winery

Nestled in the heart of the Galilee, adjacent to the beautiful village of Kerem Ben Zimra, Dalton Winery is a gem that derives its excellence from the skills of its people and the natural gifts of its surroundings.

Established in 1995 by father and son Mat and Alex Haruni, the two identified the potential of the Upper Galilee, envisioning it as a premium wine producing region.

Bringing to the area international winemaking expertise and additional resources, their aim was to help make the region thrive, create new job opportunities and promote tourism.

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The Harunis worked alongside local farmers from Kerem Ben-Zimra village (KBZ) and international winemaking consultant, John Worontschak, to produce the winery’s first vintages at a small local facility. Soon enough, these wines achieved great success, and along with an increasing demand for quality Israeli wines, the winery grew at an impressive rate.

In 2002, winemaker Naama Sorkin joined the team, leading production from 300,000 bottles to 1,000,000 bottles annually. Recognizing the importance of controlling the quality of grapes grown for our wines, we soon began developing our own vineyards. Managed by the winery’s viticulture department, Dalton Winery now controls and manages 80 hectares (800 dunam/ 200 acres) of vineyards in the Galilee, which provide some of the finest wine grapes in the country. Positioned as a true Estate Winery, this approach enables us to maintain the highest standard of quality and care in every bottle.

The Year 2015, marked not only our 20th anniversary, but introduced a new era as well. Alex Haruni, our proprietor, took on the role of CEO and President. In addition, Tzachi Sternberg joined the team as

General Manager, and the departure of Naama Sorkin led to the arrival of Guy Eshel who assumed the winemaker’s role.

Eshel, like Sorkin, arrived at Dalton following a period of education and work experience abroad. He brings to the winery a fresh take on the creative winegrowing processes, focusing on Dalton’s superb reputation, quality and excellence, while constantly exploring new and innovative ideas along with the rest of the team. We understand the significance of each and every detail along the winemaking process, from identifying the effects of climate, to choosing the perfect fruits, creating the best blends and making sure our standards are met right until the moment each wine is opened and savored.

We believe in the power of any given moment, and always
prepare our wines with our customers in mind. It is about them: their moments, their choices, their tastes and their enjoyment. We are proud to offer you the chance to pause for pleasure with Dalton wines.

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Growing, harvesting and selecting the perfect grapes for each series, our team of professionals bases all practices on in-depth knowledge, cutting edge technology and extensive expertise. Guided by their knowhow, curiosity and creativity, they are visionaries and artisans. They are authentic people of the land and educated professionals who bring the Dalton spirit to everything they do.

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Dalton Winery is located in the Galilee, one of the highest regions in Israel, with our vineyards planted at 650-900 meters above sea level. Characterized by a varied combination of soils, including the rich and heavy basalt and abundant limestone, the Galilee provides a perfect terroir in which our succulent grapes grow. Drenched in natural warm sunlight throughout most of the year, and blessed with an abundance of rain, this area enjoys a highly diversified landscape. With its mountain slopes positioned at different angles and directions, natural sunlight is distributed differently amongst each plot. The result is a rich and multifaceted abundance of fruits, colors, flavors, tones and scents, which serve as the perfect basis for creating our unique wines.

Our Vineyards

Elkosh

Our flagship vineyard, located at an elevation of 600-650 meters above sea level in the Western Upper Galilee. The vineyard was developed in 2009, with 200 dunams (49.5 acres) of planted wine grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. This site is known for its high content of limestone in the soil, as well as the many fossils scattered throughout the vineyard.

Even Menachem

An elevated plateau spanning 70 dunams (17.3 acres), planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. A combination of terra rosa soil with limestone, this vineyard is situated at 580 meters above sea level.

Zarit

Situated adjacent to the Lebanese border, 650 meters above sea level, this vineyard consists of 35 planted dunams (8.7 acres) of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Its soil is rich in quartz formations.

Safsufa

One of our oldest and most notable vineyards, Safsufa is located at a very unique spot, just below the peak of mount Meron. Its soil is a rocky combination on terra rosa, silex and limestone, along with the typical Galilee quartz geodes. Its 70 dunams (17.3 acres) of planted vines include Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Barbera.

Kerem Ben Zimra

In biblical times, this region was renowned for its production of finest quality wine grapes. Viticulture practices returned to this dormant volcano site during the 1980s, backed by funding from the Jewish Agency. Farmed by Avrahm Feidman under the guidance of Dalton’s winegrowing professionals, this vineyard produces old vine Sauvignon Blanc grapes planted in the 1980s, along with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes planted in the 1990s. The soil in this region is similar in character to the Golan Heights basalt soil.

Dalton Plateau

Two new vineyards planted in 2011 along this unique plateau of both basalt and the limestone soils. This vineyard grows 80 dunams (19.8 acres) of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes, planted at 780-800 meters above sea level. Future expansion of this vineyard is expected.

Kfar Shamay

The quartz rich soils of Kfar Shamay serve as a wonderful foundation in which our finest Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are grown, and provides high quality yields. This vineyard spans 40 dunams (9.9 acres),  planted at 630-660 meters above sea level.

Tel Fares

200 dunams (49.4 acres), this magical vineyard enjoys foggy summer mornings and cool nights during the growing season. Managed by Dalton’s previous winemaker, Naama Sorkin, and planted on soil rich in basalt gravel at 700-715 meters above sea level, this vineyard produces Shiraz, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Mourvedre, and Viognier grapes.

Kfar Tavor

Located in the lower Galilee, the basalt clay soils of this vineyard provides a highly fertile environment for growth.Farmed by Dani Giblik for Dalton since 2009. its 132 dunams (32.6 acres) of Chardonnay, Grenache and Shiraz grapes are planted at 150-220 meters above sea level. A new Chardonnay lot is also underway.

Kidron

This site is an exception to our Galilee core location. Planted in collaboration with Yuval Ben-Israel, a dedicated grower for Dalton since the year 2000, this 61-dunam (15 acre) vineyard produces some of the best Petite Sirah in the country. Kidron also produces Muscat of Alexandria grapes, which are used to make our popular sweet fizzy wine.

Misgav Am

A beautiful site located at the tip of the Galilee panhandle, this vineyard is planted on a steep eastern facing slope,looking over the lush Hula Valley, and Mount Hermon. Managed by Dalton, the vineyard spans 82 dunam (20.5 acres) producing Pinot Gris, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, planted at 750 meters above sea level.

TZIVON

The Tzivon Vineyard is located near the kibutz of Tzivon, adjacent to the north facing slopes of Mt. Meron at 700 meters above sea level. The vineyard was planted on 2006 and is organically farmed by viticulturist Ido Sirkin. The organic farming methods allow a vibrant ecosystem in the vineyard, with low yielding vines and concentrated flavor and color.