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ERLE
Ari Erle acquired his winemaking experience while working at some of the most sought after, 'cult' wineries in Napa Valley. But it wasn't at O'Shaughnessy Winery, where he presently works, or at Colgin Cellars, where he worked previously, that he found his passion for wine. It was while living in Israel and then biking through Central America and observing the locals’ agricultural connection to the land that Ari realized his deep connection to the Land of Israel and discovered a passion to work with the land to create something unique.
It was through his parents’ adventures in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys that Ari became enchanted and intrigued by the world of wine and winemaking. When Ari finally put all the pieces together and realized that he could combine his passion for the land of Israel with his passion for quality wine, he decided to make a career change and come full circle back to his birthplace to study Viticulture and Enology in the Napa Valley.
It was always clear to Ari that winemaking involves much more than the technical and management skills: it requires a real love of the land and its bounty. Years of work in the vineyards of Napa taught Ari much more about winemaking than can ever be learned in the classroom and it is that experience that he wishes to share with fellow wine lovers.
In 2006, Ari launched his International Winemaking label ‘Erle’ - artisan, crafted wines from CA and Israel. The 2006 Syrah from Hopland, CA is the first from this exciting new portfolio. It was made in the same meticulous manner from vineyard to bottle as the many other world-class wines that Ari has helped craft.
In 2007, Ari travelled to Israel (with futures investment from friends and family) to make a variety of different wine from his family's vineyards in Israel. He made a Merlot, Carignane, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose and Argaman (unique Israeli hybrid) from The Aroyo Family’s vines, which have been passed down through the generations. The vineyard is located around 'Moshav' (village) Givat Nili, near the towns of Zichron Yaakov and Benyamina in a special micro-climate along Crocodile Creek.
More information about the making of this wine is available at: http://ErleFamilyWinery.com