You can only spend so much time in any one city while travelling, even a place so brilliant and enticing as Jerusalem, and on the firth day we cast ourselves out to make the journey north. With time running out we needed to accomplish some sight seeing, and eating, outside of the holy city and there we so many things to choose from. The end point; the port city of Haifa. Haifa is a great town, and is one of the most integrated in Israel, boasting a very large community of Israelis, Arabs, and the centre of the Bahai community. We decided to try to hit a few wineries on our way north, as well as a stop in Caesaria, another ancient port and the play town of the great King Herod. 

Before we left Jerusalem there was a final meal with a good friend who had made Alliyah (immigrated to Israel) more than 2 years ago, and it was great to catch up with her over some great wine and decent food. 

This was a nice Gewurtz, not as citrusy as I like, but refreshing with nice acid and really floral

Mezes

Skewers of meat, what could be bad? Chicken hearts, livers, and "young chicken"

It was hot out, so after a final stroll around the city we HAD to have ice cream. The food at dinner was decent, but the view and conversation was better. Nice to catch up with old friends that you don't get to see very often. 

Yes, thats right Twix ice cream! 

The timing of our trip, and my desire not to over plan yet to have the opportunity to visit some wineries were definitely clashing ideas. We were in Israel during harvest, for starters, and unlike at home you do have to plan ahead and make appointments to visit a lot of the wineries. This I did not do in advance, so my last ditch effort was a bit of a failure. I had made arrangements to visit Tzora winery in the Judean hills, and this was the saving grace. Travelling is all about the journey and experience, and no road taken is an adventure in vain. 

On our way to the coast we tried to visit a winery called Domaine du Castel. A boutique, and very high end winery, Castel does require booking in advance and they charge 75 sheckels for the tour and tasting (about $20 Canadian dollars). Unfortunately, when we knocked on the door of their modest facility they were unable to accommodate us on that day. Still, it was a beautiful drive, and the winery was in a cute little town high atop a hill with some great vistas. All about the journey, as I said.

Next, it was on to Tzora Winery, where we met with the managing partner Uri in their lovely tasting room. At Tzora we heard the story of this great terroir focused winery and tasted some great wine from three different vineyards they farm, as well as some great local cheese. It turns out I had been to Tzora on my last trip, but didn't remember until we started up the walk way. My palate has definitely changed, and refined, and my memory isn't the greatest anyway, so it was like a whole knew, and eye opening, experience. 

Welcome to Tzora

Delicious olive oil that came home with me

Each bottle represents one of their three vineyards

This is their Chardonnay, I traded a bottle of Vinelands Reisling for one that I will share with Brian Schmidt, the winemaker from Vineland

Great selection of cheeses, along with some of their olive oil

The people and wines of Tzora are refreshing, and it is such a lovely place to spend an hour or so. They speak or terroir like the winemakers I have met in Niagara, and I know they would all get along famously. Tzora and Masi of Italy have a strong relationship, so if you visit be sure to ask about the story of resurrecting a varietal from extinction, it is an fascinating story. 

From Tzora we headed toward the coast, stoping at a monastery and crusader fortress at Latrun.  

We arrived late in the day at Caesarea, and it was the perfect time to be there for a nice late lunch and to take some great shots. 

There are a number of restaurants at the port, but one stands above the rest. We walked the entire area, and i'm thankful we did because we ended up having one of the best meals of our trip at Aresto. A simple flat bread, some great salads, and simple grilled fish with excellent chips.

Thursday is a popular wedding day in Israel

Next stop....Haifa.