PRESS RELEASE

Israeli Wines Celebrate International Success

Leipzig/Tel Aviv, 23. March 2009: The year 2008 bestowed not only a very
promising vintage upon Israeli winemakers but has also achieved international
recognition in recent years. Well-known, top of the line producers, as well as
leading boutique and family wineries are showcased at the international trade fair
ProWein in Düsseldorf from the 29th to the 31st of March, 2009.

Israel's wine industry has recently

undergone a technological revolution.
The results are remarkable and include
much improved quality as well as
international recognition. The period
during which Israeli winemakers
produced primarily heavy and sweet red
wines is long gone.

The winemaking revolution began in the

early 1980’s. The Israeli winemaking
created great attention and interest firstly in its own country. The rapidly developing
market excited motivated investors who began to revive viticulture everywhere in Israel.
Since then about 200 wineries of various dimensions were founded in Israel. Generally,
the cellarmasters and winemakers study at the largest and most well-known wine schools
and universities of Europe,USA and Australia. The cellar technique is of the highest
international standards. Israel is considered as one of the world’s leaders in vineyards’
irrigation techniques, and the vineyards in the Negev desert are a striking evidence
thereof. The figures for the Israeli wine export has risen significantly in the past few
years and many wineries sell up to 30 percent of their wines in foreign markets.
Mark Squires commented on the result of the first large wine tasting of Robert Parker's
Wine Advocate in December 2007, in which 14 wines exceeded the magical 90 point
range, “The corner has been clearly turned qualitatively. Israel has a real wine industry
that deserves consumer attention. These are attractive wines with typicity and some
distinction. Many are classic and charming, and the best will impress anyone”..
You now have the opportunity to taste the wines from some of the best wineries in Israel
at the Israeli stand (hall 6/ G 60), in ProWein Show.
Among the participating wineries you will find: Binyamina, Galil Mountain, Golan
Heights, Recanati, Tishbi and Vitkin wineries. Furthermore, the Israel Export &
International Cooperation Institute will present following wineries: Avidan, Margalit,
Saslove, Tabor and Tulip. Thus, wine experts can gain a comprehensive overview of the
new Israeli wine culture at ProWein.

About the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute

The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, supported by more than 2,600 member firms,
private-sector bodies and the government of Israel, advances business relationships between Israeli
exporters and overseas businesses and organizations. By providing a wide range of export-oriented services
to Israeli companies and complementary services to the international business community, the Institute
helps build successful joint ventures, strategic alliances and trade partnerships. The Israel Export &
International Cooperation Institute is committed to bringing together food and beverages buyers with the
products they seek and manufactures that suit their needs, ensuring that consumers throughout the world
benefit from the innovation, quality and market adaptability of Israel's food industry.

German Press Contact: Ms. Ulrike Schinagl, Agentur Bestsidestory, Spinnereistr. 7, PF 319, 04179
Leipzig, tel: +49 (0) 341 – 870 90 71, Email: info@bestsidestory.de

Contact Israel: Ms. Michal Neeman, Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, 29
Hamered Str., Tel Aviv, 68125, Israel, tel: +972 (3) 5142859, Email: michal@export.gov.il