I have just come upon this article which is not new and feel compelled to reply.

I have been growing certified organic winegrapes here in Israel since 1993. I am familiar with Jonathan Tishbi as he has visited my vineyards and in the past bought my grapes and made non-organic wines from them. I have respect for Jonathan as a vintner and as a true patriot of the soil. However, your article implies that his vineyards are close to organic and to this I must object strenuously. You mention that eight varieties are grown in the judean hills south of jerusalem. These vineyards are my neighbors and I am quite familiar with their growing techniques. These vineyards are grown and managed by local kibbutzim that have very little understanding or respect for organic methods and are sprayed with both herbicides and pesticides on a regular basis. Soil fertilization is done not with compost, but in fact is only plant fertilization using standard fertilizers, etc.
In addition, your statement that organic certification is difficult due to our not being part of the EU is patently false. Israel has an Organic law, certification is under government supervision, and Israel holds to the EU IFOAM standards, and for those exporting to the USA can also certify to those standards. There has been and continues to be much certified organic produce from Israel on European market shelves.
I agree that certification has its difficulties but those are due only to the strict supervision.

Again, I respect the Tishbi’s and their wines, but see no reason to include them in any discussion of Israeli organic wines.

Gershon Ferency

do you employ grape pickers?

what is the minimum order delivery for the UK,
as I would love to try your wines.