About Lahat Winery

About Lahat Winery

 

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For the most updated data about the Lahat Winery, Lahat wines and Itay Lahat – winemaker – Click Here

For Lahat Musings – the Hebrew newsletter translated into English – Click Here

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"My journey has evolved over the years, shaped by learning, hands-on experience, and through observations and research in situations that few others could have experienced."

Born in 1972, wine has been Itay Lahat's life's focus since 1995, which means he has spent most of his life engaged in learning about, teaching, growing, and making wine. He currently lives in the Galilee, and after years of traversing Israel's length and breadth among its vineyards and wineries, he now focuses his work in the Upper Galilee, specifically in the area west of Meron, or in other words: the Western Upper Galilee.

As a vine agronomist, enologist, and winemaker, Lahat holds degrees from the Hebrew University's Faculty of Agriculture and the University of Adelaide's Faculty of Oenology in South Australia, as well as an MBA from Hebrew University. Throughout his career, he has worked as a viticulturist at both large wineries and boutique wineries, served as a winemaker at a large winery, consulted for small and medium-sized wineries, and is currently the winemaker and CEO of Lahat Winery.

Itay Lahat has produced research and experimental wines throughout his career – as a student at the Wine Institute, during his studies in Adelaide, and later as head of the wine department at Tel-Hai Academic College. He has taught at various academic institutions and in several academic and professional programs.

Itay Lahat Wines

Years of working with wineries throughout Israel exposed Itay to all aspects of Israel as a wine country. This familiarity with Israel's wine regions and grape varieties led him to choose the Western Upper Galilee as his personal "wine country", and certain grape varieties – particularly Syrah and Roussanne – as best suited to his preferred wine style. Thus, in 2012, after all those years of consulting for others and accompanying winemaking, he began making his own wines – Lahat Wines.

Lahat wines, like Itay's winemaking practice in general, have evolved over the years across several dimensions, beyond any particular terroir. He has shaped them through learning, practical work, observation, and research in situations that few have experienced. Working in the winemaking field – producing a wide variety of wines in different styles for diverse audiences – ultimately allowed him to understand the specific wine style he wanted to create under the Lahat name.

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The Lahat Winery now offers two 'trilogies' – three different expressions of Roussanne, and three different expressions of Syrah.

These wines reflect place, time, and personal craftsmanship. They are characterized by their freshness, moderate alcohol content, and relatively high natural acidity, emphasizing primary fruit aromas while embracing fermentation characteristics. Some are immediately accessible, while others reward patience and deeper contemplation – all emerging from what Itay calls his "personal terroir."

What began as Lahat Wines has now evolved into the Lahat Winery, currently being established in the area where the grapes grow – the Western Upper Galilee. The current production is ~70,000 bottles a year (all kosher – OK).

Critical Recognition and Press Coverage

"Outstanding" | The Fine Rose' Report 2026 (E. Gabay MW & Ben Bernheim)

Leading wine critics and publications have recognized Lahat Winery's achievements over the years:

Wine Spectator

Featured in a special report on Israeli wines (October 2016), with an interview of Itay Lahat by editor Kim Marcus

Jancis Robinson OBE, MW

Included Lahat wines in her comprehensive 2017 Israeli wine coverage, published in both the Financial Times and JancisRobinson.com

Hugh Johnson's Wine Guide

Lahat whites and reds have been consistently featured since 2019

Recent Reviews

Adam Montefiore (2026): A comprehensive review about Lahat by A. M. can be found here. Also: Lahat Leibu 2022… redolent with tantalizing and enticing aromas of cherry berry fruit, medium weight but silky… I love this wine. It is beguiling and charming. Always a favorite of mine.

Jody Nestel: "Some wines impress you with power, while others captivate you with elegance. Lahat Roussanne 2024 does both."

David Amzallag, Rose Garrigue and more (2025)

Adam Montefiore, LinkedIn (2025)

Lahat Garrigue 2024: "a nice taught texture with a complex and refreshing mouth feel. … a food wine."

Adam Montefiore, Jerusalem Post (2025)

Lahat Red 2023: Lean, focused, elegant, and refined.

Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak (2023)

Lahat LEIBU 2021: "Made in an elegant style with nice brightness and purpose." (92/100)
Lahat Adom 2021: "Juicy and linear with nice grip, and an appealing stony edge." (93/100)
Detailed review of 2021 Roussanne as part of a comprehensive tasting of 44 Israeli wines

Featured Articles

The Kosher Terroir (2025): podcast

Joshua E. London (2025): Comprehensive history and vision review 

Adam Montefiore (2018): Comprehensive portfolio review

Chaim Shraga: In-depth coverage of 2018 and 2020 vintages

Adam Montefiore: Vertical tasting feature of ten years of Lahat Lavan

Extensive winemaker interview (2024): "Crafting Exceptional Wines in the Western Upper Galilee"

Trade materials can be found here.

Contact us: itay(@)itaylahat.co.il