The Yatir Winery was founded in 2000 as a joint venture between local grape growers and the Carmel Winery, who recognized the extraordinary potential of the area.

The Yatir region, located in the southern tip of the Judean Hills, has a rich and fascinating history of wine production dating back 2500 years. In the late 1990s, at the request of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, vines were planted as part of his vision to make the Yatir Forest bloom. Located at the foot of the Israelite Tel Arad Fort in the Yatir Forest, this exclusive winery produces 150,000 bottles of high quality wines a year, each reflecting the uniqueness and character of the region.

The vineyards of the Yatir Winery are planted at an altitude of up to 900 meters above sea level and are scattered across various locations in the forest. The plots in these vineyards have varying soil compositions, with different slants and angles. The unique climate is characterized by cool, breezy mornings, dry, sun-drenched days, cold nights and snowy winters. The plots have well-drained limestone soils, rich with chalk and clay so that the vine crops remain naturally low. These are ideal conditions for growing quality red grape varieties. Each of the Yatir Forest vineyards has its own distinct features, indicating its specific location in the forest. The winery maintains the identity of each vineyard during the production process, comprised of over 70 different plots.

Over the years, this southern winery, located in the heart of the desert, has turned into a symbol of the region. Its wines, which have been repeatedly awarded with high scores, exceptional recognition and medals, have been rated in recent years among Israel’s top wines by local as well as international wine critics.

Yatir Forest, the flagship wine of Yatir winery, is made from vineyard produce which yielded the tops wines of a given year’s vintage, with emphasis on scent and palate, and long term aging capability. Yatir Forest has become one of Israel’s leading products of consistent quality, having received a 90 point or higher grade for 9 consecutive seasons in “Wine Advocate” magazine.