In fact, the array of medals is so wide that we are not quite sure that the following list indeed comprises all of the contented wineries, but let's give it a try. Our apologies are offered in advance to whomever we may have missed.

 (Competitions and wines are listed in random order):

Syrah du Monde

Many Israeli wine experts believe that pointing out at one red grape variety as most suitable for wine in Israel's various wine regions; it would definitely be the Syrah grape. It seems that the results of the 2017 Syrah du Monde competition, the only competition dedicated solely to the Syrah/Shiraz grape, strengthen this notion.

Gold Medal – Tulip Syrah Reserve 2014

Silver Medal - Claude Seror Ramat Hagolan Syrah 2013

Citadelles Du Vin

Israeli wines have attained many prizes in the past; many of them for Cabernet Sauvignons and for Bordeaux blends, the results of the 2017 edition of Citadelles Du Vin presented quite a surprise, with Israeli Malbec and Rosé wines riding high.

Gold Medal and Special Prize for Best Malbec - GOLAN HEIGHTS YARDEN MALBEC  2013

Gold Medal and Israeli Special Prize – Carmel 2 VATS Rosé 2016

Gold Medal – Carmel MALBEC ADMON 2013

Gold Medal – 1848 Winery GENERATION 7 MERLOT 2012

Gold Medal – Carmel 2 VATS White 2016

Gold Medal – Golan Heights YARDEN SAUVIGNON BLANC  2016

Silver Medal - 1848 Winery 7TH GENERATION CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012

Decanter 2017 World Wine Awards

None less than 40 Israeli wines were awarded in this esteemed wine evaluation. Therefore we shall mention only the most prominent awards.

Platinum Award - Golan Heights Yarden Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013

Gold Award - Psâgot Peak Syrah-Petite Sirah-Mourvèdre 2014

Silver Award - Adir 10th Anniversary 2013

Silver Award - Adir Kerem Ben Zimra Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Silver Award – Carmel 2 Vats Rosé 2016

Silver Award - Carmel 2 Vats White 2016

Silver Award - Galai Single Vineyard Blanc de Noirs 2016

Silver Award - Kishor Syrah 2014

Challenge International du Vin

Recanati winery was certainly the Israeli star of this competition, with 6 medals all together, while Carmel Winery was presented with 4 medals. Here are the winners:

Gold Medal – RECANATI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016

Gold Medal – RECANATI SPECIAL RESERVE 2014

Gold Medal – RECANATI CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE DAVID VINEYARD 2014

Gold Medal – RECANATI MERLOT RESERVE MANARA VINEYARD 2013

Gold Medal – RECANATI MARSELAN RESERVE 2014

Gold Medal – RECANATI PETITE SIRAH RESERVE 2014

Gold Medal – CARMEL 2 VATS WHITE 2016

Gold Medal – CARMEL MEDITERRANEAN 2012

Gold Medal – CARMEL SHIRAZ KAYOUMI 2012

Silver Medal – CARMEL 4 VATS RED 2015

International Wine and Spirit Competition IWSC

The prestigious IWSC competition has awarded 7 Carmel Winery wines with Silver and Bronze Medals in its 2017 edition, as listed below:

Silver Medal – Carmel 2 Vats Rosé 2016

Silver Medal – Carmel Mediterranean 2012

Silver Medal – Carmel Malbec Admon Vineyard 2013

Bronze Medal – Carmel 2 Vats White 2016

Bronze Medal – Carmel 4 Vats Red 2015

Bronze Medal – Carmel Chardonnay Admon Vineyard 2014

Bronze Medal – Carmel Shiraz Kayoumi Vineyard 2012

Since only one half of 2017 has passed and there are still many more wine competitions and challenges before us this year, we can surely expect the list to be much longer 6 months from now. It may be said in fact, that this is only the first half of the barrel of prized Israeli wines of 2017, with the second half yet to be filled.