יקב אמפורה

Earth, people, and joy. The activity at the venue is based on a deep connection to nature, the seasons, and precise simplicity – one that allows you to pause, breathe, and enjoy. In the farmyard, a boutique winery operates, producing unique quality wines with love, care, and a lot of soul. From Sunday to Thursday, visits to the farm are available by prior arrangement and for group arrivals. On Fridays, the farm is open to the public for wine tastings, tours, and an authentic rural experience. The visit is suitable for couples, groups, birthdays, and small events. A place of vibrant agriculture, heartfelt hospitality, and good energy.

Domaine du Castel is a family winery in the Judean mountains, near Jerusalem. We strive to make classic & elegenat wines from our unique terroir. Eli Ben Zaken, together with his three children, strive to make classic and elegant fine wines. The red wines, Grand Vin and Petit Castel, are both Bordeaux blends; aged in French oak barrels, they have an intense and complex bouquet. The palate is silky and rich with deep black fruit, spices and soft but assertive tannins. The finish is long, smooth and clean. The wines are unfined and unfiltered to fully preserve their flavors. They are well suited for aging and should reach their peak a few years after release. The "C" Blanc du Castel is a Chardonnay. The wine is aged sur lie for 12 months in the underground cellars. There is a frequent bâtonnage (stirring of the lees), a technique that enhances its complexity. The aroma is fruity with a hint of roasted almonds. The palate is rich and round with plenty of yellow tropical fruit and citrus. It is very well balanced and mouth coating. Domaine du Castel winery currently produces around 8000 cases annually. The Wine Advocate of Robert Parker, perhaps the most influential wine critics in the world, writes: "Domaine du Castel is one of Israel's most prestigious wineries, invariably on most short lists in the "best winery in Israel" debate … among the long established crown jewels."

Our winery is located on the family farm in Moshav Sde Moshe. The wines are all made from grapes grown on the farm and are the best expression of the soil and vines we know so well. In the yard of the winery we host a wine experience in a relaxed and calm atmosphere facing the view of the vineyards.