About Meishar Winery

Meishar is a pioneering boutique winery founded in 1990 by Chaya and Ze’ev Smilansky in a sandy region historically linked to the biblical stories of Samson and Delilah. When they began, the area was largely uncultivated because of its sandy soil and limited water, but the Smilanskys saw its potential and became among the first to establish a vineyard there. The winery started small, for home consumption, before growing into a recognised boutique producer, having pioneered viticulture in a place few others were willing to attempt.

The Wines

The estate’s sandy soils pose a real viticultural challenge that the family has turned to advantage: sand drains quickly and warms fast in spring, so the vines develop strong root systems and the grapes take on a distinctive character. Building the vineyard from scratch gave the Smilanskys deep knowledge of this unusual terroir, and the winemaking reflects the same determination and creativity that led to the estate’s founding. With vintages stretching back to 1990, the team has refined its approach over many years, and the wines carry the authority of decades of experience in a demanding environment, expressing this sandy landscape with authenticity and depth.

Visiting the Winery

Meishar invites guests to discover wines from one of the most unusual vineyard sites in Israel, where the sandy landscape carries a rich biblical resonance, so a visit is an encounter with both wine and history. The story of Chaya and Ze’ev Smilansky and their pioneering decision to cultivate vines here adds a compelling human dimension, and the winery’s intimate scale ensures personal attention and a genuine connection to the people who created the estate.

Information last updated: July 26, 2026. Please confirm hours and details directly with the winery before visiting.

Meishar Winery

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