Archaeological sites
In the Mount Hebron region, there are a significant number of archaeological sites where evidence of ancient vineyards and winemaking activities has been preserved, providing clear evidence of the centrality of this area in the wine industry of Israel. At the Tel Hebron archaeological dig, pottery shards from wine amphorae have been unearthed, stamped with the royal seal of the Kingdom of Judah (700 BCE), on which “For the King of Hebron” can be clearly seen. In biblical Susya and the Yatir Forest, 2,000-year-old wineries are a tangible reminder of the widespread wine industry that existed here.
“Route of the Patriarchs”
The top-quality wine grapes of La Forêt Blanche Winery grow in vineyards along the biblical “Route of the Patriarchs” (today’s Route 60), which runs through Israel from north to south, with its midpoint in Jerusalem, where the Second Temple stood 2,500 years ago. During biblical times, many towns and villages grew up along this watershed line, as the area’s unique geographic conditions were particularly suited to cultivation and settlement. Under these favorable conditions, our forefathers planted vineyards throughout this area, and today, La Forêt Blanche Winery is renewing and preserving this ancient tradition.
In 1993, the Livni family planted their first Cabernet Sauvignon at the Sde Kalev vineyard. At 900 meters above sea level, bordering the Judean Desert, the grapes benefit from the unique climate of the mountainous region in which they grow. The extreme temperature differences between day and night, which can vary by up to 20°C, together with dramatic seasonal temperature variations typical of the area, provide a microclimate that has a beneficial effect on the wine grapes.
The winemaker’s philosophy
La Forêt Blanche Winery’s flagship wine, Yaar Levanon – Free-run Cabernet 2018 vintage, was created entirely from a single vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, sourced solely from old vines of the Sde Kalev Vineyard. The grapes are selectively harvested entirely by hand. After crushing 70% of the grapes, the remaining 30% is kept as whole berries and pumped into steel tanks for a 48-hour cold soaking and fermentation, during which gentle remontage and délestage processes are performed. At the end of fermentation, the juice is allowed to run naturally and freely, without pressing. The wine is then aged for 24 months in French and American new oak barrels, a mix of 225L and 500L, and bottled without fining or filtration.
The winery’s flagship wine precisely expresses the winemaker’s philosophy and the exceptional terroir of the Sde Kalev vineyard. It has a deep, mellow, almost black Bordeaux color, bursting with the rich, intense aroma of black forest berries and dark Belgian chocolate, alongside fresh green peppercorns, rosemary, violets, and lavender blossoms.
Each sip delivers a gentle caress that slowly reveals additional layers hidden in the wine.
