• Introduction
• 1. British Columbia: Okanagan Valley
• 2. Hungary: Villány and Szekszárd
• 3. India: Nashik
• 4. Israel: Upper Galilee and Golan Heights
• 5. Mexico: Guadalupe Valley
• 6. New York: East End, Long Island
• 7. Portugal: Douro Valley
• 8. Tasmania: The Tamar, Derwent, Huon, and Coal River Valleys
• 9. Uruguay: Colonia
• 10. Virginia: Charlottesville

Israel: Upper Galilee and Golan Heights

The land: Baron Edmond de Rothschild cultivated Palestine’s first French varietals in 1882. Before him came Noah, the region’s first vintner, according to Genesis. The rugged, high-altitude Upper Galilee and Golan Heights- rank among the eastern Mediterranean’s top appellations.

Why it’s hot: Israel’s technological advances (like drip-feed irrigation, now adopted worldwide), along with its diverse microclimates, have created first-rate, (and often) kosher wines.

Wineries to watch: Castel and Carmel
Lodging pick: The Mizpe Hayamim Resort makes a posh base for touring the wineries. (20 minutes from the Rosh Pinna airport via transfer from Tel Aviv; 011-972-4-699-4555; rooms from $300)

Take it home: Chardonnay from Yarden

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