Almost Tuscany: Three local wineries to spend the night

There’s something about the beginning of summer that tickles the urge to get away. Sometimes it works out, sometimes you can squeeze in a long weekend without too much planning ahead—but for most of us, logistics win.

So yes, this isn’t Tuscany, and there’s no attempt to compare, but in Israel, there are quite a few wineries that offer not only excellent wine and stunning scenery but also luxurious accommodations—right there, among the vineyards.

This time, three wineries were pulled from the list: One in the north, one in the south, and one in the center—each offering the full experience: A night of quiet, a morning with nature, and lots of good wine in between. Sometimes you really don’t need much more than that—except world peace.

The Carmey Avdat farm is a wonderful location to visit even just when passing by on a desert road trip. And everyone who’s been there gets hooked—true story. Among hills and sand lies a winery that feels like an oasis.

Carmey Avdat is one of the first wineries opened in the Negev Highlands, producing wine from vineyards located in this fascinating desert region.

The farm was established in 1998 by Hannah and Eyal Yizrael, in the heart of a barren wadi in the Negev Highlands, with the aim of creating a family venture inspired by ancient agriculture in a modern spirit.

From desert living, a love of nature, and inspiration collected from their travels around the world, was born a vision of sustainable agriculture, grape growing, and local wine production. From a simple caravan with no electricity, vineyards were planted, eco-minded guest cabins were built, and in 2005, Israel's first solar-powered winery was founded.

They produce wine from six grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Viognier, Petit Verdot, and Chardonnay. They produce about 5,000 bottles a year, and what’s charming about the place is the combination of desert-grown wine and the ability to spend a luxurious night in stone cabins—without compromising on the open sky view.

Waze: Carmey Avdat

The winery is open Monday through Saturday, if visiting without overnight stay. On weekends, it's best to book in advance.

In the heart of the Golan Heights, with wild vineyards and dramatic scenery, is the perfect backdrop for a weekend that feels far, far away.

Assaf Winery is a family venture that began with a passion for wine in the 1990s, starting with the planting of vineyards. It later evolved into a unique tourist complex called “Kedem – The Wine Village,” which has been operating since 2012.

Behind the winery is Assaf Kedem, who personally oversees the vineyards, planted at an altitude of about 550 meters, in a unique terroir of volcanic soil and mountain climate.

The village includes a visitor center, café, tasting room, and lots of excellent wine. It’s essentially a vacation on the very land where it all began.

Waze: Route 91, about one kilometer north of Neot Junction. Open Monday–Saturday.

One of my personal hobbies used to be taking at least one “staycation” a year: A vacation close to home with all the trappings of a real getaway. That usually happened in Tel Aviv, but lately I’ve started eyeing “further” destinations too.

One such destination is Smadar Winery, located in the heart of Zikhron Ya’akov. It was established in 1998 by Moti Shapira, a fourth-generation vintner from one of the town’s founding families.

The winery’s vineyards are located in the Ein Tut Valley, on the northern slopes of Zikhron. The wines produced here are exclusively red.

Next to the winery operates a small, intimate boutique hotel owned by the family, with only four rooms, a pool, a sauna, and a dining room that was once a stable. A small retreat, surrounded by nature.

Waze: 31 HaMeyasdim St., Zikhron Ya’akov.