About Ashkar Winery

Throughout history, wine has symbolized joy and celebration. However, the story behind Ashkar Winery is far more intricate. The Ashkar family originates from Iqrit, a small village in the Upper Galilee region, where ancient wine presses bear witness to a rich vinous heritage spanning thousands of years. For generations, the family produced wine in Iqrit until their land was seized in 1948.

Iqrit, a Palestinian Christian village located northeast of Acre, was captured and depopulated by the Israeli military during the war, ultimately becoming part of the new State of Israel. The inhabitants were forcibly relocated to the nearby village of Rameh with the promise of returning within two weeks. Regrettably, this promise was not fulfilled, and despite a 1951 ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court granting the former residents of Iqrit the right to return, the village was destroyed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) before they could go back. Even today, descendants of the village maintain a presence in the village church and bury their deceased in its cemetery. However, their attempts to cultivate the land are consistently uprooted by the Israeli Land Authorities.

The Ashkar family has since resettled in Kufur Yasif, where the winery was re-established in 2010 by Nemi Ashkar, a member of the second generation of the displaced Iqrit community. Nemi’s dream of building a winery had been nurtured since his time working in the United States in the late 1990s. He felt a deep connection to the vineyards surrounding Iqrit and was profoundly affected by their expansion while being unable to cultivate his own ancestral land. He believed that making wine should originate from these remarkable vineyards. While he could have sourced grapes from other places, he found no solace in doing so. For Nemi, true fulfillment lay in engaging in meaningful work on his beloved land—Iqrit, his homeland. Everywhere else, he felt like an exile, but in Iqrit, he always felt at home. The establishment of Ashkar Winery represents another step in his ongoing struggle for fulfillment. His ultimate life goal is to have a recognized and legally secure path for returning to Iqrit, where he can rebuild the winery on his ancestral soil.

This arduous struggle for return is intricately reflected in the flavors and characteristics of Ashkar wines. Each bottle encapsulates the vastness and spirit of Iqrit, carrying the weight of the journey and the determination to reclaim their land. Through Ashkar Winery, Nemi Ashkar channels his unwavering dedication and unwavering belief that true salvation lies in wholesome work on the land of his beloved homeland. His wines bear the essence of this profound connection and represent a profound expression of resilience, longing, and hope.

Ashkar Winery stands as a testament to the Ashkar family’s indomitable spirit and their commitment to preserving their heritage through winemaking. With every sip of Ashkar wine, one not only tastes the flavors of the vineyards but also shares in the story of a community’s struggle for return, recognition, and the rebuilding of a winery that carries the weight of history and the promise of a future fulfilled.

Ashkar Winery

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