Golan Heights Winery wins platinum at 2025 Decanter awards with Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon

Golan Heights Winery, located in Israel’s upper Galilee, has announced that its Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 received a Platinum Medal and 97 points at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards. This achievement ties the highest score ever given to an Israeli wine at the competition and marks Golan Heights as the only Israeli winery to have won multiple Platinum medals in the event’s 22-year history.

The Decanter World Wine Awards, now in its 22nd year, is considered the largest and most influential wine competition globally. In 2025, more than 18,000 wines from 57 countries were judged by a panel of 248 experts, including 22 Master Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine. Only 137 wines were awarded the Platinum medal this year, placing Golan Heights Winery among a select group of top producers worldwide.

Assaf Ben Dov, CEO of Golan Heights Winery, said that earning Platinum and 97 points is a significant milestone for the winery. He emphasized that this recognition reflects not only the quality of the Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon but also the winery’s ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation over more than forty years.

The Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon has a history of international acclaim, having previously won both Gold and Platinum medals at major competitions. The 2021 vintage is noted for its depth, refined tannins, and layered character, qualities attributed to the volcanic soils and high-altitude vineyards of the Golan Heights region. The wine is widely regarded as Israel’s most awarded and serves as a leading ambassador for Israeli wines on the global stage.

Founded in 1983 by four kibbutzim and four moshavim, Golan Heights Winery played a key role in transforming Israel’s wine industry. The winery is based in Katzrin and produces four main labels: Yarden, Yarden Cru Elite, Gilgal, and Mount Hermon. In 2023, it celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of leadership in viticulture, winemaking, and sustainability.

Victor Schoenfeld has served as head winemaker since 1992. Under his direction, Golan Heights Winery manages over 1,500 acres across 28 vineyards. The winery is known for its use of precision viticulture techniques and advanced mapping technologies. It was also the first in Israel to adopt LODI RULES certification for sustainable farming practices.

Schoenfeld stated that great wines begin in great vineyards and credited the award to the land, the team’s dedication, and their pursuit of excellence. Golan Heights Winery continues to be recognized for producing wines that balance complexity with elegance while expressing a clear sense of place.

In addition to the Platinum medal for Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, Golan Heights Winery received other high scores: Yarden Petit Verdot 2021 earned 92 points and Yarden Rosé 2024 received 91 points. Demetri Walters MW described Yarden Petit Verdot as the best he has tasted of its kind, while Elizabeth Gabay MW included Yarden Rosé among the world’s best rosés. The rosé also recently won Gold at Mundus Vini.

These results reinforce Golan Heights Winery’s reputation as Israel’s most internationally decorated winery. In the United States, Golan Heights wines are imported exclusively by Yarden Inc.