Researchers Revive 1,500-Year-Old Byzantine Wine From Ancient Negev Vineyard

In September 2023, a heritage vineyard was planted in the ancient site of Avdat in the Negev Desert, aiming to recreate the taste of Byzantine-era wine from 1,500 years ago. This project, led by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) in collaboration with the University of Haifa, involved identifying and cultivating ancient grape varieties based on grape seeds found in a sealed cave at the archaeological site. The grape varieties, including Debouki, Ba'er, and Sariki, were grown using ancient agricultural methods derived from the Mishnah and Talmud literature.

The grapes were harvested manually last year and sent to small wineries in the Negev, where three winemakers produced the wine using entirely natural processes without industrial yeast, sulfur, bisulfites, or additives. Dr. Lior Schwimer, heritage commissioner for the southern district at INPA, described the outcome as "a kind of miracle," noting the vigorous growth of the vines in the desert soil, which had seen no agriculture for 1,500 years. The project has attracted significant interest from wine enthusiasts, researchers, and curious individuals, many requesting bottles of the rare wine.

This initiative not only revives a wine once considered the best in the world during the Byzantine period but also provides new insights into ancient viticulture and the region's historical agricultural practices. The successful production of this natural wine marks a unique blend of archaeology, history, and modern winemaking techniques.