2023 San Francisco International Wine Competition – Gold Medal

Winemaker Notes

Summary: Dry white/amber wine crafted from indigenous Palestinian grapes

Place: Bethlehem, south-western hills (930m)

Grapes: blend of various native Palestinian varietals

Soil: argilo-calcaire

Alcohol: 13% abv

Farming: dry farmed, old vines

Production: 3492 bottles (750ml), 14 magnums

Winemaking: Manual harvesting in september 2021. Minimal intervention, crushing, 95% destemming, co-fermentation of several varietals, daily manual punchdowns, skin-maceration for each micro-plot, ranging 1-8 weeks. Malolactic fermentation naturally conducted (spontaneous and without innoculation). Three rackings, no fining, no filtration

About the Winery

Philokalia is a small natural winery founded in 2015 by architect Sari Khoury in Bethlehem, Palestine. The winery produces approximately 5,000 bottles annually with no additives, using a mix of stainless steel and clay vessels.

The vineyards are dry-farmed bush vines on argilo-calcaire soils, located in the south-western part of Bethlehem governorate, with altitudes of 930-940m and rainfall of 450-550mm per year.

Philokalia works with old farmers to preserve the heritage of grape farming and has just harvested its first cuvee from grapes farmed exclusively from its own plot. The winery doesn’t name the grape varieties used in their wines to protect their ground breaking work with indigenous varietals.

Grapes of Wrath is made from vineyards that were crushed by the Israeli military to pave a new settlement road. A vivid testament to Palestinian resilience – the vines grew back around the boulders and continue to thrive.

No Added Sulfites

Unfined

Unfiltered