The Winery
Villa Wilhelma Winery is a unique and successful combination of location, people and rich history and culture.
Motti Goldman, farmer and physics teacher, was born on the moshav and is a second generation vine grower. Amram Sourasky is a wine expert who lives and breathes wine and has been closely involved in the Israeli wine industry from its first beginnings to the present day, when Israeli wines are acclaimed and awarded prizes worldwide. The two men joined forces to establish Villa Wilhelma Winery in Bnei Atarot.
The combination of the two mens’ fields of expertise – one an expert on vine growing, the other privy to the secrets of wine preparation – assures an end product of exceptional quality with a highly personal flavor.
The Vineyard
The Upper Galilee in general, and in particular the Ben Zimra vineyard, from which Villa Wilhelma acquires its grapes, has long been considered Israel’s most superior vine growing region. An altitude of 840 meters above sea level, the chalky basalt soil, very low humidity levels, extreme contrasts between day and night temperatures in summer and a cold, snowy winter, all combine to create ideal conditions for wine grape cultivation in this region.
Villa Wilhelma Winery meticulously selects high quality, small-seeded grapes from low-crop yields that are so important for the production of superior wines.
The Winemaker
Amram Sourasky is one of Israel’s leading enologists with experience of dozens of harvests. He has worked in most of Israel’s larger wineries, through which he became acquainted with all the best vine growers and vineyards, and gained worldwide recognition.
Amram has been closely involved with the world of wine since the late 1950s and is considered a source of infinite knowledge about the history and culture of wine in Israel and around the world.
He has been Chief Winemaker at Villa Wilhelma since 2003 and the wine produced here expresses his rich experience and abilities. Downsizing from a production volume of millions of bottles at large-scale wineries to a mere 20,000 bottles per year enables him to give the closest personal, hands-on attention to the production of each and every bottle.
For Amram, wine production is much more than just a profession: it adds fragrance and flavor to his life, providing that unique pleasure that can be experienced only when sipping wine in the company of others. “Wine turns a mere meal into a dining experience,” he believes. And it is this lifelong belief that he has brought to Villa Wilhelma, where production focuses on premium wines and where Amram is able to practice his love of winemaking while also turning it into a successful business.
The Wine
Grand Reserve is Villa Wilhelma’s premium wine label. It includes three dry reds:
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Médocabernet, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are produced in the style of Médoc in the Bordeaux region and are heavy, dark and full-bodied.
There are also two dry white wines:
Grand Chardonnay – similar to a rich Meursault-style wine from Burgundy
Sauvignon Blanc - in the Bordeaux style.
And two dessert and mood wines:
Muscat of Alexandria - fermented with the skins
Wilhelmport - a Port-style wine made from late-harvested Merlot grapes.
The winery also produces liqueurs and brandy.
Awards
Medocabernet 2004
Gold medal at Finger lakes international wine competition
Gold medal at vinus 2007 Argentina
Trophee prestige at les citadelles du vin
Silver medal -Terrvino Israel
Muscat dessert wine 2004
Silver medal at Zercillo plate -Spain
Silver medal at Terravino Israel
Business Card
Villa Wilhelma Winery has a classic style full of atmosphere and character, with a personal touch to the wine making. The Visitors Center in the cellar of the old Templar building hosts tastings, wine courses and wine storytelling sessions. There are also live performances and tours depicting the Templar period in the colony.
The Visitors Center is open Fridays and eve of holidays from 9am – 4pm. Visits on other days by reservation in advance.
Contact Details
Villa Wilhelma Winery Ltd.
Moshav Bnei Atarot (Hatayasim junction)
Goldman Family
Mobile: Motti Goldman - +972-(0)54-4564526
Tel/Fax: +972-(0)3-9721988
Website: www.villawilhelma.co.il
