We chose three wines from the Israel Mony vineyards for our Rosh HaShana table: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer.
The Cabernet was slightly unusual, lighter than expected, with interesting fruity nuances. I loved the Chardonnay, deep and with a honey color fit for the occasion. The Gewurztraminer was a light and pleasant companion for the deserts.
Their Web site is http://www.mony-vineyard.co.il/
The review of some of Mony’s wines written by the late wine critic Dabiel Rogov can be read at http://www.wines-israel.co.il/len/apage/71838.php
Some more impressions ca be read at http://reignofterroir.com/2008/02/23/mony-winery-israel/
(source http://www.happyheartswine.com/index.php?mainPage=wines&brand=Mony)
On Facebook the vineyard can be befriended at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118965654817483
Here is an excerpt from their Facebook entry page:
Mony is set in the grounds of a Christian monastery, is owned by an Arab-Christian family and makes Kosher wines. For years wine was produced by the resident monks of Dir Rafat, famous for its painted ceiling with the words “Peace” written in hundreds of languages. The Artoul family worked in the winery until Shakib Artoul leased the land and established Mony in 2000. The winery is named for Dr Mony Artoul, Shakib’s first son who tragically died of a heart condition in 1995 – a plaque dedicated to him hangs over the entrance to the tunnels and cellar at the back of the winery. Nur Artoul is the winemaker and with his father and two remaining brothers they oversee the winery operations.
Shana Tova!