Teperberg Winery, a family-owned establishment founded in 1870, has continuously evolved while maintaining its rich heritage. Nearly two decades ago, the winery moved to a modern facility near Kibbutz Tzora, signaling its ambition for growth and innovation.
Unlike many longstanding wineries that rigidly adhere to tradition, Teperberg embraces creativity, as seen in its Inspire Art series, which merges winemaking with Israeli art. Now, the winery is revitalizing its high-end Essence series by introducing two new wines crafted from unconventional grape varieties—Dolcetto and Barbera.
Introducing Dolcetto and Barbera to the Essence Series
The Essence series has traditionally focused on classic Bordeaux varietals, emphasizing the characteristics of vineyards and grape cultivation. However, Teperberg is now taking a bold step by introducing Dolcetto and Barbera, two varieties native to Italy’s Piedmont region.
This marks a shift in the winery’s approach, allowing the winemakers greater creative freedom to experiment with new flavors and techniques. Chief winemaker Shiki Rauchberger describes these wines as light, fresh, and youthful, offering a new dimension to the series while maintaining high quality.
Teperberg’s journey with Dolcetto was not without challenges. After planting the variety in a vineyard near Alonim in the Golan Heights, early results were disappointing. Determined to unlock its potential, the team traveled to Piedmont, where they studied traditional growing techniques.
Despite skepticism from local vintners, Teperberg refined its approach, incorporating manual harvesting, cluster separation, and delicate fermentation methods. The result is a refined wine with balanced acidity and freshness, demonstrating the winery’s ability to adapt and innovate.
Barbera’s Evolution from Rosé to a Refined and Elegant Red Wine
Barbera, another addition to the Essence series, had previously been used at Teperberg only for rosé wines due to its naturally high acidity. Now, the team has explored its potential as a red wine, using a delicate extraction process and aging it in wooden vats.
Grown in the Ayalon Valley on the Judean slopes, Essence Barbera 2023 presents a fresh and floral profile with a touch of spice, making it an elegant and versatile wine. This transformation showcases Teperberg’s expertise in reinterpreting classic varietals in new ways.
The Essence Dolcetto 2023, sourced from the Golan Heights, offers a light and refreshing experience with red fruit aromas and a soft texture, best enjoyed chilled. Meanwhile, the Essence Barbera 2023, grown in Judea, features bright acidity and a floral, medium-bodied character, making it suitable even for warm climates.
These two wines exemplify Teperberg’s forward-thinking philosophy—combining tradition with innovation to create unique, enjoyable wines that appeal to modern wine lovers.