About Domaine du Castel

Domaine du Castel is a small estate located west of Jerusalem, in the ancient "corridor" between Israel and its capital. An extraordinary wine domain in the ancient land. Owner and founder Eli Ben Zaken managed to make it all happen, opting for a gradual build-up with innate determination.

The vineyards are at an altitude of 700 meters, so there is enough cooling to keep the grapes fresh. Much more rain falls here than you might expect, around 700 millimeters a year. Although most of it falls in the winter period, the amount of irrigation is very limited. An important quality factor is the density at which the vines are planted, 6700 vines per hectare, much higher than the 2200 vines common at other farms. They are not on their own land, as the state has given it to the kibbutz. A lease was therefore signed with the kibbutz.

Eli's children, Ariel, Eytan and Ilana, continue the tradition. Ariel, who spent two years studying viticulture and winemaking in Beaune, France, has been CEO of Domaine du Castel for more than 15 years. Eytan was in charge of managing the family restaurant in Jerusalem while continuing to study the art of winemaking at Eli. To this day, he holds the position of winemaker alongside his father. Ilana, the eldest daughter, is the winery's Export & Procurement Director.