The vineyard

 Château Golan vineyard is owned, controlled and managed by Château Golan.

This is of utmost importance as it allows the winery full control over its raw material starting with the choice of variety and rootstock, on with viticultural practices and finally with the determination of harvest dates.

The decision to have the vineyard and winery in such proximity reflects a strong belief in the concept of locality; we believe the wine should carry with it a modulation of the  vineyard, the climate and the people who tend it. This belief compels us to adapt our ways to the character of the region rather than be tempted to attempt the opposite. Furthermore, it allows us to advance confidently even when the destination is not fully clear, thus increasing our chances to reach a novel place and produce a distinct and authentic wine.



Château Golan spends a lot of time and money in research and development of various vineyard practices. The use of cover crops, different trellising systems and canopy management are constantly examined in order to optimize the marriage of variety soil and climate. In addition, one of our plots is organically farmed and many of these practices are considered in order to be implemented later in the entire vineyard.

The varieties

Perhaps the most important factor governing the character of a wine is the interplay of
the vine and its surroundings; neither the variety alone, nor the soil or the climate, determines the final outcome.
Since there is very limited experience with different grape varieties in Israel and particularly in the Golan Heights, we go to great lengths to test and evaluate different varieties and their compatibility with our soil and climate.

After seven years of experimentation, there are 13 different grape varieties
planted in Château Golan:

Bordelaise: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Mediterranean (French and Spanish): Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Petite Syrah, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier.

Portuguese: Touriga Nacional.

The Cultivation Region

The Château Golan vineyard is situated in the southern Golan Heights,
approximately three kilometers southeast of the winery.

Characteristics: The vineyard is 375 meters above sea level; the soil is volcanic and quite rich in loam; the annual average rainfall is about 550 mm and the maximum and minimum summer temperatures are 32 and 18 degrees Celsius, respectively.