- Tel Gezer - Our journey takes us to Tel Gezer, an archaeological site of great significance, where the notable “Gezer calendar” was unearthed in 1908. This small limestone tablet bears an inscription detailing monthly or bi-monthly periods, each associated with specific agricultural tasks such as harvesting, planting, or crop maintenance. Each bottle of Elul wine features an image of this tablet.
Tel Gezer’s vineyards have been celebrated for centuries and were particularly important during Solomon’s reign, serving as a key stop on the pilgrimage route from Jaffa’s port to the Temple in Jerusalem. We will also explore the six-chambered gates built by King Solomon, as mentioned in the Bible. The site dates back over 5000 years.
- Karmei Yosef - Adjacent to the small modern village of Karmei Yosef lies the Elul Organic Vineyard. Established by Moshe Elul in 2014, it is Israel’s first kosher organic winery. Elul is known for its unique approach, producing wine from 13 varieties of organic grapes without using bisulfites and relying on wild yeasts for fermentation. The vineyard adheres to traditional farming methods, avoiding pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and mechanical harvesters. Our visit includes a vineyard tour and a luxurious wine tasting paired with cheeses.
- Tel Azeka - Tel Azeka, the setting for another biblical story, offers a sweeping view of the Valley of Elah, where David famously defeated Goliath with a slingshot and stones. This ancient Judean town is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, from Joshua’s era to the First Temple’s destruction in 586 BCE. The site saw continuous habitation until Roman times, and we can explore tunnels and caves from the Bar Kochba revolt in 135 CE. The city then vanished from history until 20th-century archaeologists rediscovered and excavated it.
- Nahal Sorek Reserve - This reserve is believed to be the location where Delilah seduced Samson, leading to his demise at the hands of the Philistines.
- Private transportation
- The Elul winery tour cost
Join us for one of our exclusive ‘Histillery’ Tours, where Israel’s rich historical legacy meets the spirit of the present with a winery or distillery visit. Our first stop is Tel Gezer, an archaeological site that revealed the “Gezer calendar,” a 3,000-year-old tablet showing the agricultural yearly cycle. Tel Gezer’s historic vineyards were crucial during the First and Second Temple eras as a vital stop on the pilgrimage route from the port of Jaffa to the Temple in Jerusalem. Then to Elul Vineyard, the first kosher organic winery in Israel, which crafts wine from 13 varieties of organic grapes, embracing traditional agricultural methods avoiding pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Our visit includes a vineyard tour and wine tasting paired with cheeses and more. Then to Tel Azeka with a panoramic view of the Valley of Elah, where David slew Goliath with a slingshot. Finally to Nahal Sorek where Delilah enticed Samson to reveal the secret of his strength leading to his capture by the Philistines.
- Remaining hours are for transportation to and from the locations.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
