tohhel the entire %alah Oommainik
a 7tcylpq and Zeafthq q&ta (Ije_ar

Israel boasts 28 "boutique ,/ w i neries,
launched by enthusiasts who are
sidling into the mainstream. A
smooth, fruity red from one of them,
Meron, won a recent blind tasting at
the Gerstels in Jerusalem.
The range is increasing from year
to year. As well as the familiar
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and
Chardonnay, growers are experiment-
ing with such exotic varieties like
Cabernet Franc (from the Loire
Valley in France) and the Italian
Sangiovese and Nebbiolo.
Dalton Wineries, one of the more
ambitious newcomers, was established
by Mat Haruni, a veteran of London's
Hatton Garden gem trade, who
moved to Israel in 1995. "My father,"
says his 32-year-old son, Alex, at their
Upper Galilee plant, "had never been
involved in wine, but he was looking
for somewhere in the north to invest
in land and build an industry."
The Harunis went into partnership
with Armand Maman, a Moroccan-
born farmer in Kerem Ben-Zimra, a
run-down moshav three miles from
the Lebanese border. They called in
John Worontschak, a globetrotting
Australian consultant known as the
"flying winemaker." And they hired
Arkadi Papikian, a Ukrainian immi-
grant with a Ph.D. in viticulture, as
full-time winemaker.
This year, Dalton has 70 acres of
vines and expects to produce 250,000
bottles. We hope to take it up to
500,000 over the next five years," says
Alex Haruni, the production manag-
er. "We expect to be making a profit
in two years. We're already exporting
to the United States and Australia."
Last month, Daniel Rogov, the
Haaretz wine critic, welcomed
Dalton's "excellent value"
Chardonnay Reserve 1997 for its
"lush pear, melon and vanilla flavors
and aromas and just the right touch
of oak." What winemaker could ask
for more'
Golan, one of the two or three
leading exporters, now sells 80 per-
cent of its wine in Israel. A decade
ago, the ratio was 50:50.
In his temperature-controlled cellar
in Ethiopia Street, Martin Gerstel has
only one complaint. "Because of the
increasing interest," he says, and the
relative scarcity of the best Israeli
reds, anything other than the current
vintage is vastly overpriced." If Ehud
Barak succeeds in making peace with
Syria and the Golan winery has to
relocate off the heights, the problem
will get worse before it gets better. fl

Dr. Elliot H. Burns

Judith Shewach-Stevenson
Leonard Baruch (Emeritus)

Beth Abraham-Hillel Moses, 5075 W. Maple
West Bloomfield, 248-851-6880

Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Rd.
Southfield. 248-357-5544

JoAnne Levy

Shaarey Zedek/B'nai Israel, 4200 Walnut Lake Rd.
West Bloomfield, 248-357-5544

Congregation Shir Tikvah, 3900 Northfield Pkwy.
Troy, 248-649-4418

Helen Forman

Alan Yost

Birmingham Temple, 28611 W. 12 Mile Rd.
Farmington Hills, 248-477-1410

Ada!, Shalom, 29901 Middlebelt Rd.
Farmington Hills, 248-851-5100

Thomas Jablonski, ET.A.. ES.A.

David Tisdale

Temple Beth El, 7400 Telegraph
Bloomfield Hills, 248-851-1100

Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Rd.
West Bloomfield, 248-661-5700

Don Cohen

Elliot Sorkin

Temple Emanu-El, 14450 West 10 Mile Rd.
Oak Park, 248-967-4020

Beth Israel Congregation, 2000 Washtenaw
Ann Arbor, 734-665-9898

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Wishing our Campers,
Families and Friends a
Happy, Healthy and Fun
New Year!

SEE YOU NEXT SUMMER,
OUR 32ND YEAR!!

Arnie and Lorraine Fisher

,

LUMBER CO:

, #'
4tv

would like to wish all of
our friends and customers
a very happy and healthy
New Year.

The Epstein Families

Isadore
Robert & Janet
Jeff & Dana

Ken & Nancy
Stuart & Suzi
Lam-en & Jason

9/10

1999

DetrJit Jewish News

R5