Yaacov Oryah is one of Israel’s most original and intellectually curious winemakers, celebrated as the pioneer of Israeli orange wine. Born in New York to a religious family and raised in Bnei Brak from the age of five, he trained as an engineer before studying winemaking at the Soreq Winery school in 2004 and going on to become a respected figure in Israeli wine — also serving as head winemaker at Psagot Winery while crafting wines under his own label.

A white-wine specialist, Oryah questioned why winemakers discarded the skins of white grapes when red-wine flavour comes from skin contact. His experiments led to Israel’s first orange wines — an Asif Colombard and an Asif Gewurztraminer in 2007 — made by fermenting white grapes on their skins. His wines, sourced largely from the Judean plain and foothills, carry evocative names such as ‘Silent Hunter’ (a Semillon–Chenin Blanc blend built to age), ‘Light From Darkness’, ‘Eye of the Storm’ and ‘Pretty as the Moon’.

The wines are kosher and prized by enthusiasts for their depth, ageing potential and distinctive character. For current releases and visiting information, contact the winery directly.

Exploring Israel, One Wine at a Time

Yaacov Oryah Winery

Yaacov Oryah Winery

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