Description
Philokalia is a small natural winery founded in 2015 by architect Sari Kouri in Bethlehem, Palestine. The winery produces approximately 5,000 bottles annually with no additives, using a mix of stainless steel and clay vessels.
The vineyards are dry-farmed bush vines on argilo-calcaire soils, located in the south-western part of Bethlehem governorate, with altitudes of 930-940m and rainfall of 450-550mm per year.
Philokalia works with old farmers to preserve the heritage of grape farming and has just harvested its first cuvee from grapes farmed exclusively from its own plot. The winery doesn’t name the grape varieties used in their wines to protect their ground breaking work with indigenous varietals.
Philokalia works with vines that were previously paved over by the Israeli military. A vivid testament to Palestinian resilience – the vines grew back through the cracks in the pavement.