Zafririm Winery
JUDEAN HILLS, ISRAEL
ROOTED IN TRADITION
Nestled in the picturesque Judean Hills near Beit Shemesh in the Ella Valley, Ẓafririm Winery is a boutique winery dedicated to producing high-quality, handcrafted wines.
Founded in 2004 by Lori and Shaike Lender, the winery combines traditional winemaking techniques with modern technology and sustainable practices to create wines that reflect the region’s natural beauty, unique terroir and rich history.
With a commitment to artisanal, hands-on production, Ẓafririm emphasizes quality over quantity. Their two youngest sons look after the vineyards, ensuring that the grapes, hand-picked before dawn, reach the winery in prime condition.
The Judean Hills have a winemaking history that dates back to biblical times, and Ẓafririm Winery carries on this rich tradition.
The region’s unique terroir—comprised of limestone and soil rich in alluvium and a large diurnal temperature range—imparts distinct flavors to the wines.
The Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and cool winters, allows for slow grape ripening, enhancing complexity and balance.
This exceptional environment provides the ideal conditions for cultivating premium wine grapes that express the essence of the land.
MINIMAL INTERVENTION + MODERN INNOVATION
Ẓafririm Winery is committed to sustainable agricultural methods with minimal intervention, working in harmony with nature to preserve the environment.
The vineyards are carefully tended to promote biodiversity and soil health, and the winery ensures that each wine authentically represents its terroir. Fermentation takes place in small batches, allowing for close monitoring and meticulous quality control.
Bottling without filtration further maintains the wine’s integrity, offering a pure expression of the Judean Hills.
ZAFRIRIM Winery's Featured Wine
ZAFRIRIM Winery's Featured Wine
2019 Lavnin Red
75% Petite Sirah, 25% Merlot
Made from a combination of Durif (Petite Sirah) and Merlot grapes grown in vineyards in the Ella Valley and Nahal Hakhlil area.
Deep purple in color, robust and bursting with black and red-berry fruit, black pepper, and Mediterranean herbs on the palate.
An aging period of nearly a year and a half and the use of French and American oak barrels, old and new, together with the expressions of the terroir give the wine a local and special character.