The Creativity and Consistency of Dalton Winery

By Yossie Horwitz

Dalton Winery team

The explosion of interest in high-end kosher wine among mainstream kosher consumers has been an ongoing trend in recent years, one that I have frequently commented on. While this growth has brought many positive outcomes—such as new wineries producing kosher runs, previously unavailable wine regions, and grape varieties entering the kosher market—it has also led to a less favorable phenomenon: the pursuit of novelty at the expense of consistent quality. Even wineries that produce great wines regularly may struggle to hold consumer attention as drinkers seek out the newest, most “exciting” options.

A Hidden Unicorn: Tough and Resilient

What if I told you there was a winery that checks all the relevant boxes? One that consistently produces a diverse range of quality wines, offers excellent value, showcases its unique terroirs, and continuously innovates, actively experimenting with new grape varieties, new blends and new methods? On top of that, this winery positively contributes to the wider world, as well as to the kosher wine market. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, this winery exists, and it has been hiding in plain sight for years. Say hello to the Dalton Winery!

I first became enamored with Dalton in 1997 when I tasted their Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. From that moment, Dalton has remained a fixture in my wine collection, consistently delivering quality while keeping prices reasonable—something not to be taken for granted in the world of premium kosher wine.

An IDF tank at Dalton Winery

‘Closed Military Zones’

Dalton Winery is in northern Israel, with many of its vineyards perilously close to the Lebanese border. This proximity proved a significant challenge during the Second Lebanon War, which disrupted the 2006 harvest, and once again, the region became an active war zone following October 7, 2023, leading to the displacement of nearly 100,000 people. (See Josh London’s “Resilience in the Vineyards” on page 8 for more details.)

Dalton was directly affected, with 10% of its vineyards declared “closed military areas” and sealed off by the IDF. Many staff members were forced to evacuate, some even losing their homes to Hezbollah’s relentless attacks. Yet, despite incoming rocket fire and countless bomb-shelter runs, Dalton’s dedicated team kept the winery active and open. 

Dalton’s team has shown extraordinary resilience, keeping the winery operational despite incredibly challenging circumstances. Their unwavering dedication not only kept production going but also saved and safeguarded the 2023 and 2024 vintages, ensuring wine lovers worldwide could still enjoy some of Israel’s finest kosher wines. This steadfast commitment is a testament to the passion, skill and dogged determination of the Dalton team and leadership.

A Rich History

(l-r) Guy Eshel, Mat Haruni, Alex Haruni

Founded in 1995 by the father-and-son team of Mat and Alex Haruni, the Dalton Winery emerged from a blend of deep Zionist values and a passion for wine. Alex made aliyah from the U.K. in 1991, and his parents followed in 1993. The Haruni men decided to start the winery together not only to pursue wine but also to build up and promote the Galilee. Initially established in the nearby Moshav Ben Zimra—an area celebrated for its premium vineyards—Dalton quickly outgrew its original facility. By 1999, the winery moved to its current home in Dalton’s industrial park to accommodate expansion.

Dalton debuted with a modest 20,000-bottle release in 1995, but its growth since has been remarkable. The winery produced 1.4 million bottles for the 2023 harvest and hopes to reach 1.5 million bottles in 2025. Today, 25%-30% of Dalton’s wines are exported, with the U.S. standing as its largest export market. Recent investments in state-of-the-art equipment and contemporary methods, including clay amphorae, have ensured that Dalton remains fresh and innovative. The recent installation of a new distillery has enabled the winery to diversify into spirits, like gin and vermouth.

From the start, Dalton set out to create a commercially sustainable winery, not a boutique passion project. It was never a fleeting investment or a vanity venture but a pioneering, steadfast Zionist commitment to developing the Galilee. This strategic vision enabled Dalton to scale efficiently while maintaining the exceptional quality that earned it widespread acclaim. By expanding beyond a solely family-run model, the winery attracted top-tier talent, further solidifying its position as one of

Israel’s premier wineries.

Controlling Its Destiny

Working in the Dalton vineyard

Like many wineries, Dalton initially relied on long-term contracts to manage the vineyards from which it sourced its grapes. However, recognizing the importance of controlling every stage of the grape’s lifecycle—from clone selection and yield management to harvest timing and canopy control—the winery made a decisive shift toward direct ownership and management of its vineyards.

Today, 80% of Dalton’s fruit comes from vineyards under its direct control, with the remainder still sourced through long-term contracts. With a strong belief in the Upper Galilee’s exceptional terroir, the winery has focused its vineyard holdings near its facility, allowing for greater oversight of the growing, harvesting and winemaking processes. Only petite sirah and muscat are sourced from the coastal plain, while Elkosh remains Dalton’s largest vineyard. Nearly 10% of the winery’s production is dedicated to rosé, primarily from shiraz and grenache grown specifically for this purpose.

Dalton has also embraced sustainable viticulture, reducing pesticide use and implementing natural vineyard management techniques. While the winery does not classify itself as a producer of “natural wines,” it prioritizes minimal intervention, ensuring that the grapes and terroir are expressed as authentically as possible while still tightly maintaining commercial quality and hygiene.

Winemaker Guy Eshel: A Decade of Innovation

Since nothing comes easy— especially not the high-quality winemaking showcased by Dalton—after 12 years with the winery, über-talented, Australian-trained winemaker Na’ama Sorkin decided it was time for a change of pace and stepped down. Enter Guy Eshel, then a young and relatively untested winemaker. A decade later, Haruni’s decision to embrace Eshel looks nothing short of brilliant.

Born in Israel, Eshel spent seven years of his childhood in California before returning with his family. His passion for wine was sparked while working at a wine store, setting him on a path that led to harvests in California, winemaking studies at UC Davis, and hands-on experience at wineries in Australia and France. Dalton also benefits from the expertise of consulting winemaker John Worontschak, who seamlessly blends Old World and New World styles.

One of Eshel’s greatest contributions to Dalton is the Asufa series, also known as “Guy’s Playground.” This collection is a personal favorite. While many wineries offer a winemaker’s label, few have done so with such delicious success. With vibrant labels and an adventurous spirit, the series showcases unique blends and single varietal expressions of lesser-known grapes like chenin blanc, zinfandel, carignan and petite sirah. Eshel even crafts two wines under his own label—one from grenache and the other from roussanne—each a pure reflection of his vision.

Dalton’s Diverse Portfolio

Dalton produces a broad range of wines across multiple labels:

• Canaan and Estate Series—Entrylevel wines, including blends and single varietals. Includes a fumé blanc, a partially oak-aged sauvignon blanc.

• Alma Series—Rhône-style blends with grenache and cinsault, designed for early consumption. Recently renamed for easier consumer recognition.

• Asufa Series—The adventurous collection, featuring standout wines like Wild One (chenin blanc), Coast to Coast (zinfandel) and Levantina (petite sirah).

• Family Collection (formerly Reserve)—Premium varietal wines including shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and pinot gris.

• Single Vineyard Wines— Showcasing specific terroirs, including Elkosh Vineyard (cabernet sauvignon, syrah) and Nadav Vineyard (cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot).

• Flagship Wines:

  • Matatia—Named for Mat Haruni, a Bordeaux blend produced only in exceptional vintages.

  • Anna—A fortified muscat dessert wine, aged using the solera method.

  • Galilo—A blend representing the best of the Galilee region.

• Sparkling Wines—Includes pét-nat (white and rosé) and a traditional method pinot gris sparkling wine.

A Commitment to the Future

As Dalton approaches its 30th anniversary, it continues to uphold its core values of quality, innovation and terroir. With a dedicated team, an ever-expanding portfolio and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Dalton remains one of Israel’s premier kosher wineries.

For those who appreciate delicious, unique, quality-crafted wines and a winery with a rich story, Dalton Winery is a standout choice. The next time you raise a glass, choose from the Dalton portfolio and toast to one of kosher wine’s hidden treasures.