Wine Spectator Magazine ranks White Label 2021 from Flam Winery among their Top 100 Wines of 2024
The Vineyards of the Judean Wine Region, Mateh Yehuda.
Credit Pic: Yakir Yahish
In a prestigious vote of confidence in Israeli wines, Wine Spectator magazine ranked White Label 2021 from Flam Winery among their Top 100 Wines of 2024 list, with a score of 92. Wine Spectator, one of the world’s leading wine guides, publishes its exclusive annual Top 100 list, featuring wines that have been meticulously selected based on quality, value, availability, and overall excitement. Only a handful of Israeli wineries have achieved this ranking to date.
In 2024, 35 wines were included in the list for the first time, and among the standout wines, Flam Winery’s White Label received special recognition, highlighting its quality and unique balance.
White Label 2021 embodies the winemaking philosophy of winemaker Golan Flam, which emphasizes finesse and precision while honoring the fruit and terroir. Its clean and minimalist label allows the wine to speak for itself, with its quality achieved through uncompromising dedication to excellence at every stage of the creation process.
According to Wine Spectator, White Label 2021 “packs a serious punch, with a full-throttled core of red currant, blackberry, dried flower, and dusty earth flavors. Shows a spine of graphite that brings focus and drive to the round, lush palate. Delivers details of black licorice, grilled apple wood, anise, and smoke that play out on the finish, framed by fine-grained tannins. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.”
Background:
Flam Winery was established in 1998 in the Eshtaol Forest in the Jerusalem Mountains, with the objective of producing quality Israeli wines that best reflect the local terroir. A member of the Judean Hills Quartet (a group of artisanal wineries in the Judean Hills Wine Region), Flam Winery has vineyards in Eshtaol, Givat Yeshayahu and Even Sapir alongside other vineyards, all of which are cared for under strict and uncompromising supervision. The winery combines meticulous, manual work methods, along with an intimate knowledge of the vineyards in a constant pursuit for excellence and authenticity. With over 25 years of experience, Golan Flam has developed his own style, of expressive wines with both elegance, balance and with good fruit at the core. Over the years, Flam Winery has established a tradition of excellence and has received third party international recognition and success at the highest level.
Located midway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Flam Winery offers an extraordinary wine experience for tourists, who can enjoy the fine wines, sitting among the vineyards, on a balcony overlooking the Judean Hills. Visits include an explanation about the winery, the family, the vineyards, the wine growing region and the local terroir, as well as a tutored tasting of a number of Flam wines. During the weekdays and on Fridays, the winery is open for wine tastings, training and professional wine workshops. In addition, there is a professional tasting room for groups, whether private and business events. The forest that surrounds the winery is full of hiking and biking trails and perfect picnic opportunities in nature (picnic and takeaway baskets are available at the winery).
Credit Pic: Tal sivan ziporin
Wine Tourism in Mateh Yehuda – The Judea Wine Region
The Mateh Yehuda region, home to Flam Winery, is one of Israel's most significant and diverse centers for wine. Recognized as a unique wine region under the name Judea Wines Appellation, it hosts approximately 50 wineries, ranging from small boutique establishments to internationally renowned wineries. The area offers a perfect combination of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and a unique climate ideal for cultivating high-quality grapes.
Wine tourism in Mateh Yehuda includes wine-tasting routes at the wineries, vineyard tours, professional wine workshops, and culinary experiences based on local produce. Visitors to the region can enjoy picturesque trails, heritage sites, and visits to wineries, each with its own unique story. Seasonal wine events, such as the annual Mateh Yehuda Wine Festival, attract visitors from around the world, providing an enriching cultural experience alongside exceptional wines that reflect the region's unique terroir.
The Judea region is establishing itself as a leading tourist destination for wine enthusiasts and travelers seeking to experience Israel's heritage in a unique and inspiring way.