Darom red or Rosé? Two bottles offering more than just wine

When wine meets a noble cause, it becomes more than just a beverage—it becomes a story worth sharing. Even if the wine itself were the only highlight, it would still earn our recommendation. But when good wine meets an even better intention, we must share.

Let’s start with the wine. A few years ago, Yatir Winery decided that despite their superb high-end wines, the winery had grown large enough to introduce a more accessible series. Thus, they created DAROM: a series that serves as an excellent entry point to their wines for those who do not wish to spend a high amount.

But something else happened a few years ago. The winery began collaborating with Rimon Farm, an ecological agricultural farm in the northern Negev that helps teenagers and PTSD victims through sustainable, nature-based farming. “There’s something about encountering the quiet of nature that calms the soul,” says Yaakov Ben Dor, CEO of Yatir Winery. “Working with crops and the soil, especially in the vineyards, works wonders for the soul. It’s a healthy quiet.”

The initiative to establish therapeutic vineyards was the brainchild of the farm’s team, winemaker Eran Goldwasser (Yatir Winery, DAROM), and the winery’s agronomists and vineyard managers. They assisted the Rimon Farm team in setting up and operating therapeutic farms and vineyards. This system uses vineyard work as a therapeutic tool for trauma victims, connecting them to nature and the land.

“Eran Goldwasser, who has been involved with the farm for several years, guided them in all aspects of vineyard planting, and now they are increasing plantings to expand their activities. The collaboration was initially driven by a sense of social responsibility to support the farm’s work. Given the war and its aftermath, this cooperation has become even more significant,” adds Yaakov.

“We saw how important the social mobilization of citizens for one another was during this war. The farm represents part of the new Israeli alliance that is forming—a mutual empowerment. It’s not that we didn’t have this before, but now more than ever, we see the importance of mutual responsibility and involvement in action. We can no longer operate in a culture of 'it’ll be fine.' People are taking on more personal responsibility and extending a helping hand.”

The events of October 7 brought soldiers and civilians into the trauma circle, including people who worked directly on the farm. “Among the volunteers, there were fatalities, some of the staff in the kibbutzim were murdered, and some fell in battles. Evacuees from the border, soldiers returning from the front, and other affected civilians in need of rehabilitation joined the trauma circle,” says Ben Dor. “After years of a mostly under-the-radar partnership, we thought it was the right time to raise awareness of this wonderful farm and the good they do for the broader public.”

As part of expanding Yatir Winery’s contribution, they decided to produce a DAROM package for the south. Part of its proceeds will be donated to establishing five therapeutic farms dedicated to vineyard therapy, providing support to southern evacuees, security forces, and new PTSD victims.

And what about the wine?

“Our long-term cooperation includes not only professional guidance and financial donations through the package purchase but also the acceptance of the farm’s vineyard products for our future wines at Yatir Winery and ‘DAROM.’ Our DAROM brand originally operates from southern vineyards, and we felt that creating this package was a natural connection that adds another layer of value, telling the story of the farm and the entire south.”

But with all due respect to volunteering, you’re probably wondering about the wine. Well, it’s a good and simple wine in the best sense of the word. It doesn’t pretend to be a grand wine that adorns wine coolers, but the red bottle, despite its accessible price, tastes far more sophisticated than what used to be called "table wine." The rosé is also complex enough to be interesting without being overwhelming: a wine that’s enjoyable to drink chilled from the fridge, even on its own, but also pairs well with appetizers, cheeses, and fruits.

Both wines are suitable for a meal that starts with salads and moves on to meats. In our case, the rosé was sampled alongside light appetizers, and the red with stews (both vegetarian and meat)—and both blended perfectly into the meal without overshadowing the main course—exactly how we like it.

The DAROM package for the south includes a bottle of Darom Red 2022 and a bottle of Darom Rosé 2022. The price: NIS 150.