Israeli wine critic Daniel Rogov gives the Ella Valley Vineyards 2006 Syrah a score of 92 - 'exceptional in every way'.+In his <I>Guide to Israeli Wines 2010</I>, Rogov praises the boutique wine – mainly Syrah grapes blended with 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot – as 'long and mouth-filling.'
'Dark, almost inky-garnet in color, medium- to full-bodied, deeply aromatic and showing a generous array of blackberry, black cherry, and currant notes,' Rogov continues. The wine can is ready for drinking now but can be cellared through 2012.
Known from biblical times as a good wine making region, the Ella Valley has returned to the forefront of Israeli wineries with the help of the Ella Valley Wineries. With the help of 21st century tools and skills the founders of the winery planned to produce excellent kosher wine, relying on the unique conditions and qualities of the area.
The Ella Valley Wineries - which Rogov rates at 4 stars ('Consistently producing high-class wines') are thought of as one of the most advanced and best in Israel, producing over 200,000 bottles annually, all considered premium quality wines. Also unprecedented within the wine industry of Israel, approximately 40% of the production is exported.
The Ella Valley Wineries produce a line of red wines: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah, and Syrah, and a line of white wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat.
The Ella Valley Wineries also puts out two series of premium wines:
Ella Valley- A quality brand, which includes most of the types of wine from various harvest years produced by the Ella Valley Wineries.
Vineyard's Choice - The winery's luxury brand uses the most exclusive grapes, picked from the best vineyards. These wines undergo a long aging process, both in barrels and in bottles, before being released on the market. Each season, the winemaker decides which wines will be labeled with the exclusive and binding VC label, so that each year different wines may be included in this series.