Kishor Winery, located in the community of Kishorit in the Upper Galilee, is in my view one of the most deserving wineries here. The owner and winemaker Richard Davis has been doing beautiful work there for years, backed by a well-formed winemaking philosophy. The place is given to the terroir of the Western Upper Galilee, with vineyards planted around it, one of them right in the winery’s yard. Part of the philosophy is minimal winemaking intervention in most of the wines, in the spirit of the “Old World” with a tendency to maintain restraint.
Kishor systematically produces good, inexpensive basic wines, very good varietal wines that offer extremely good value for money, and higher-quality wines in the “Tefen” series, which, in their price category, are also among the best here in terms of value for money. Additional credit is given to the winery in another context. The community is home to people with special needs, and several of them are active in the winery’s work. This is also a reason why it is more than worthwhile to be exposed to Davis’s appreciated work. Cheers!
Kishor, White 2024
How much? NIS 86.
Reviewer’s note: The most prominent element in Kishor’s basic dry blend is its significant acidic profile. The fruit is good, mostly citrusy, not dense or overly dominant. A delicate mineral nuance sneaks in subtly. This is a wine with a nice culinary coefficient that will suit a diverse range of dishes—from salads and pastas, through chicken, and up to fish and seafood.
Value for money: 4/5 (Very good).
Kishor, Red 2023
A red blend based on Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot from the Western Upper Galilee. 14 months of aging in French oak barrels. Crimson-red color. Red fruit and spices on the nose. Medium-full body. 14.5% alcohol by volume.
How much? NIS 86.
Reviewer’s note: It’s hard to think of many local reds that offer so much for NIS 85. To be precise, it’s hard to think of local wines like this that also embody a restrained and moderate winemaking style; and that’s already a lot. On the palate—the opening is relatively delicate. The continuation, after some swirling, gains volume toward a significant finish. Plenty of delicate fruit, herbaceousness, spices, good acidity. A wine that will successfully accompany any meat dish and is perfect for a barbecue. It feels excellent already, but will develop and become richer with at least three years of aging potential.
Value for money: 4.5/5 (Excellent).
Kishor, Viognier 2024
100% Viognier from the Western Upper Galilee. 16 days of fermentation in French oak barrels, followed by six months in those barrels. Slightly pale golden color. Tropical fruit and spices on the nose. Medium body. 13% alcohol by volume.
How much? NIS 96.
Reviewer’s note: Slightly oily texture, with a balanced blend of fruit and acidity, a highly present finish reminiscent of citrus peels. Very nice aromatics. A wine best enjoyed cold, seemingly born for spicy Asian food.
Value for money: 3.5/5 (Good).
Kishor, Tefen White 2024
Chardonnay, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc from selected plots in Kishor Winery’s vineyards in the Western Upper Galilee. Fermentation and eight months of aging on the lees in 300-liter oak barrels. Golden color. Tropical fruit on the nose. Full body. 12.5% alcohol by volume.
How much? NIS 120.
Reviewer’s note: Restrained yet highly present fruit, precise balancing acidity, somewhat buttery texture, freshness alongside complexity and plenty of character. As a higher-level wine, it will complement elaborate meals based on seafood beautifully. An entirely worthy companion for high-quality sushi as well.
Value for money: 2.5/5 (Realistic).
Kishor, Tefen Red
A red blend based on Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre from vineyards in the Western Upper Galilee. 18 months of aging in French oak barrels. Deep red color. Red fruit and spices on the nose. Full body. 14.5% alcohol by volume.
How much? NIS 120.
Reviewer’s note: Excellent fruit, but like all Kishor wines, in which intentionally restrained work is done with the oak, it is not overripe or overly loaded. Nice acidity. Elegant, full, and rich but not heavy or too powerful. The spices from the nose are very present on the palate as well, with pleasant sharpness. Elegance and softness alongside hints of charming rustic roughness. A perfect wine for lamb ribs and stews. Aging potential of up to five years under good storage conditions.
Value for money: 4.5/5 (Excellent. Among the best local wines in this price category).
Kishor, Metzudat Tefen 2022
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc from vineyards in the Western Upper Galilee. 18 months of aging in French oak barrels (40% new) and another year in the bottle. Deep red color. Black fruit and herbaceousness on the nose. Full body. 14.5% alcohol by volume.
How much? NIS 140.
Reviewer’s note: Kishor’s flagship wine is based on three of the five Bordeaux varieties, unlike most of the winery’s wines, which are based on Mediterranean varieties. This is the first blend of its kind produced at the winery, relying on a massive body, marked by excellent fruit and precisely balancing acidity. It is rich, complex, and—like all the winery’s wines—not overly loaded. This is a wine that will be a great pleasure to drink alongside aged, bone-in meats. Aging potential of up to seven years.
Value for money: 4/5 (Very good).