The devastating effects of the recent Hamas attack on Israel’s wine trade are coming to light, as recounted by Israeli Master of Wine, Eran Pick, who serves as the winemaker for Tzora Vineyards in the Judean Hills. Pick described the profound challenges faced by the industry in the wake of the tragic events that unfolded in October.
Among those directly affected in the wine trade was Mika, the owner of a winery in the Golan, who lost her brother in the Hamas attack on October 7th. Additionally, Daniel Lifshitz, proprietor of Bourgogne Crown, an importer of fine wines in Israel, saw his grandparents taken hostage by Hamas, with his grandmother subsequently released, while his grandfather remains in Gaza.
Regarding Lifshitz’s grandparents, Pick expressed, “Both are very peaceful people who helped Gazan citizens through the years – it is very sad.”
Pick also reported another distressing incident involving the son of a wine importer from Winekart, who was abducted during an all-night event near Kibbutz Re’im, close to Gaza, that was infiltrated by Hamas.
Tragically, 21 Thai agricultural laborers fell victim to a massacre perpetrated by Hamas, while 14 others were taken hostage. Those who escaped harm have since returned home. Consequently, farmers have been left without a significant portion of their workforce, not only from Asia, but also from Gaza and other regions. Pick lamented that there are now “no more harvesters,” though he noted that his winery, Tzora, managed to complete its harvest by mid-September.
While Pick acknowledged that “business seems less important these days,” he drew attention to the sharp decline in wine sales within Israel. This is not only due to the closure of the majority of restaurants and the departure of tourists, but also because many residents are too grief-stricken to partake in alcohol consumption.
Furthermore, numerous wineries are struggling to operate, having lost employees to the ensuing conflict. Pick emphasized that approximately “300,000 people are on reserve in the army.”
Indeed, some of Israel’s winemakers are currently serving in the military in Gaza and other regions, leaving those remaining to support a multitude of wineries with pressing and fermentation management.
“These are very difficult times,” Pick reflected, concluding with a poignant observation, “I don’t remember such grief; especially with the unbelievable situation of the 240 hostages – including kids and elderly.”
