Winning Wineries and Slow Food in Golan Heights, Israel

Driving by the scattered farming communities, and through the green, rolling hills of Golan feels like driving into the past, towards a more peaceful and simple time.

The pastoral landscape and quiet solitude reveal nothing of the conflicted political history of the region, and rather indicate the opposite.

Golan Heights has become a calm, tranquil retreat from hectic modern demands, giving visitors a glimpse into the unpretentious lifestyle of centuries past. Communities of farmers and artisans dot the region, where neighbors know one another fondly.

Slow food has found a foothold in the region, as well as organic and natural farming. Small ranches and vineyards take precedent, and the too-common industrialized farm factories have no place here.

Farmers, growers, and artisans of Golan take pride in their professions. Their connection, love, and respect for the land that they live on and work is evident in their attitudes and in their delicious products.

Bellofri (Ein Nashut Winery) is a prime example of the wonders of the Golan and the special friendliness of its farmers.

Part of the farming community of Kidmat Zvi, the farmstead is owned by the Kabalo family, and managed by a husband and wife team. Tami provides extensive tours (in English!) and explanations of the farm, including detailed histories on the progression of the processes and tools used to make the famous Mediterranean staples of bread, olive oil, and wine. The Kabalo’s farm still processes raw grapes, olives, and wheat in traditional and sustainable ways.

The Bellofri tour began with an explanation of the tools led by Tami.

Tami explains how to separate the usable wheat from the rest of the plant

Further straining of the wheat occurs on the mesh grids

Olive oil was the most surprising process – so much work for SUCH little oil!

The most ancient tools for creating olive oil – rocks and slabs with a place for the oil to gather! Pound until you get oil.
I’ve been looking at my olive oil differently ever since.

A more advanced method involves rolling a heavy stone over a serrated slab (heavier than it looks!).. still difficult

And now, onto a more modern method: donkey (or other animal) powered olive pressing!

It was the donkey’s day off, so I’m filling in here. SO HARD!

Next up was my favorite of all products – WINE!

The vineyards of Bellofrio

The all-natural, foot-powered wine making pits
If you visit during wine season you can even make your own wine!

the wine storing in the cellar

One of the most interesting details of Bellofrio was the extreme dedication to recycling. Every structure on the farm is built from recycled materials and scraps. In addition to being farmers, the Kabalos are also artists, and they have created some beautiful buildings. The above pictured wine cellar is actually a recycled Syrian bunker!

 entrance to the recycled cellar

recycled restaurant exterioranother building made entirely of recycled secondhand materials

After your tour, there is an optional wine and cheese tasting in the restaurant. The products are all natural and made on the farm. I highly recommend taking advantage of this – some of the tastiest wine and cheese I’ve had (and this was right after Italy!).

After Bellofri, a short drive away (also in Kidmat Zvi community) is another artisan food producer. Sara, of Sara’s House of Jams, offers hundreds of handmade, all-natural jams of every taste imaginable.

Arrived at Sara’s!free tastings – the roasted tomato was my favorite (I bought 3!)

just a small sample of the selection that fills the entire little house

Other Attractions in Golan

Not to be missed, the Artisan Village of Golan is also a worthy stopover, especially if looking for home decor or handmade jewelry. Many artists of varying fields (sculpture, painting, soapmaking) gather in little houses set along the village to offer their wares.

outside the village

Stopping to check out the Syrian border is also quite interesting, with a free audio tours available in English.

The Syrian border