Capsouto Winery is a pioneering and deeply personal project by Jacques Capsouto, a man whose life story is as remarkable as the wines he produces. Capsouto spent over three decades as a celebrated restaurateur in New York City — his restaurant Capsouto Frères in TriBeCa was a beloved institution for more than thirty years. Then, in quick succession, tragedy struck: his brother Albert died in 2010, and two years later Hurricane Sandy destroyed the restaurant that had defined his professional life.

Rather than retreating, Capsouto channelled his grief and his love of wine into an audacious new venture: relocating to Israel at the age of seventy to found a winery. The result is Israel’s only winery dedicated exclusively to Rhône valley grape varieties — a unique achievement that has brought international attention to the western Galilee wine region. The winery is located near the ancient Druze village of Pekiin in the western Galilee, a landscape of rolling hills, olive groves, and ancient spring-fed orchards.

Jacques planted nine Rhône varieties — five red and four white — covering the full spectrum of what this legendary French wine region produces: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah for the reds; Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Roussanne for the whites. The decision to focus entirely on Rhône varieties was not arbitrary but reflected Capsouto’s conviction that these Mediterranean-origin grapes are ideally suited to the Galilee’s similar climate and soils. He names his wines after family members: Cuvée Samuel after his late father, Cuvée Eva after his mother, and Cuvée Albert after his brother who died in 2010.

The wines are kosher certified. Each bottle is a blend of multiple Rhône varieties, crafted to reflect Capsouto’s vision of Mediterranean wine. The estate represents a remarkable human story of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of wine.

For visiting and purchasing information, contact the winery directly.

Capsouto Winery

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