Recanati winery is a winery situated in the Hefer Valley in Israel. The winery was founded in 2000 by Lenny Recanati. The winery produces young red and white blends under its Yasmin label, varietals under its Recanati and Reserve labels, and a Special Reserve.[1]All grapes are hand-harvested, two-thirds originating in Recanati’s high-altitude Manara vineyards in the Upper Galilee and the remainder from vineyards planted in the clay-rich soil of the Jezreel Valley. [2]
Chief winemaker Gil Shatsberg, a graduate of the U.C. Davis wine program, worked for Amphorae and Carmel wineries before joining Recanati.[3] Shatsberg replaced Lewis Pasco, previously winemaker for Chimney Rock and Marimar Torres in California, whose Israeli Barbera (2003) was described by New York Times wine critic Howard G. Goldberg, as "inviting, soft, with an appealing cola bouquet and flavor." The critic found his 2001 Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon "luscious and light." [4]Haaretz food writer and wine critic Daniel Rogov writes that since its inception, "Recanati winery has offered a generous selection of wines, many of which have been consistently excellent." [5]
Recanati winery started out producing 250,000 bottles a year, reaching 600,000 by 2007.[6]
Recanati’s 2004 Reserve Shiraz was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2006 Terravino International Wine Exhibition held in Tel Aviv and a Silver Medal from the 2006 Citadelles du Vin competition in Bordeaux, France. [7]Recanati winery has won over 43 international awards since its establishment.[8]