War in Middle East Affects Vintners

The 2024 harvest at Israel’s Dalton Winery was punctuated by nonstop rocket and drone attacks launched from just across the border in Hezbollah-controlled southern Lebanon.

- KRISTEN BIELER

As tractors rolled through the vineyards at night, collecting the last of the Cabernet grapes, the sky was lit up by the glow of exploding rockets and the resulting wildfires that have scorched parts of northern Israel since Hezbollah’s campaign began on Oct. 8, 2023.

Across Israel, Lebanon and the West Bank, the growing conflict ignited by Hamas’ attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, has upended winemakers’ livelihoods and lives throughout the region. Harvest is traditionally a time of perseverance and celebration, but as the military campaign in Gaza continues, Israel and Hezbollah battle and Iran launches missile attacks, vintners on all sides are simply trying to survive and protect what they have spent a lifetime building. Grapes are being harvested, but so is sorrow.

Located in Israel’s Upper Galilee region, Dalton Winery is just a few miles from Lebanon. Some of Dalton’s prime vineyards have been completely razed. In March, the nearby Avivim Winery was destroyed by two Hezbollah rockets and owner Shlomi Biton was injured. Many vintners are unable to access their vines, as they are in closed, military zones.