Israel is certainly not high on the minds of most U.S. wine consumers. Although ancient wine production in Israel is documented through archeological evidence and chronicled frequently in the Bible, wine production and world attention has lagged among wine producing countries.

According to a 2014 ranking of wine production by country, Israel ranked 58th behind wine “powerhouse” Cuba (48th), and Madagascar (53rd).

However insignificant the volume and notoriety, a recent tasting showed that quality is not is not relevant to rankings.

Israel has the same latitude as San Diego and features hot and rain-free summers and wet winters — ideal for vinifera grape production.

The modern era for Israeli wine production began in the late 1800s with the establishment of Carmel Winery that had the support of Baron Edmund de Rothschild, owner of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. Carmel Winery also led the development in the 1960s from sweet sacramental wines to modern, dry table wines. The modern Israeli wine industry is only a few decades old, however.

Israeli wines can be frequently found in better U.S. fine wine stores. Most are reasonably priced, and are made from familiar European grape varieties.

The Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, previously known as the site of a major tank battle between the Israelis and Syrians during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, is the source of some of Israel’s finest wines. The cool Golan Heights has a unique microclimate that is conducive to growing quality wine grapes with vineyards planted 4,000 feet in elevation.

Occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day war, this area is a sub-region of Galilee where 38 percent of Israel’s vineyards are located.

American wine consumers should be comfortable tasting Israeli wines since they place somewhere between California and French wines in style.

We tasted a number of Israeli wines recently and selected four that we highly recommend.

The Gilgal, Mt. Hermon and Yarden wines are part of the Golan Heights Winery family, while the Galil Mountain wine is a partnership with the Golan Heights Winery.

Gilgal Syrah Rosé Golan Heights 2016 ($16). This syrah rosé features a dollop of viognier and displays a bold strawberry color. Delicious strawberry, raspberry and cherry notes in a medium bodied frame make this a very easy to drink rosé.

Mount Hermon Indigo Galilee 2016 ($14). A pleasant red wine blend of cabernet sauvignon and syrah. Easy drinking with a soft impression in the mouth featuring plum and cherry notes.

($14). A pleasant red wine blend of cabernet sauvignon and syrah. Easy drinking with a soft impression in the mouth featuring plum and cherry notes. Galil Mountain ELA Upper Galilee 2014 ($22). A blend of mostly barbera and syrah with a dash of petite verdot, and grenache. Notable acidity from the barbera gives this red blend a nice liveliness that is refreshing. One year of French oak aging. Medium bodied with cherry and raspberry elements. Delicious!

Yarden Merlot Galilee Odem Vineyard 2014 ($110). This organic 100 percent merlot spent 14 months in French oak. This is a world-class wine that rivals some of the finest from Napa Valley. Still young even after seven years, this bold wine displayed plum, cherry and cedar notes in a very elegant frame.

WINE PICKS