The Secrets of the Archangel: A New Mystery in the Judean Hills
By Janna Rijpma-Meppelink
In the late nineties of the last century I had the pleasure of meeting Eli Ben-Zaken for the first time during a dinner in Amsterdam. In that time his chardonnay made an indelible impression. Finally in 2011 I had the chance of visiting the Castel Estate for the first time. And what a great pleasure it was to meet the family again in Tel Aviv during the Sommelier Exhibition 2026 by invitation of the Israel Export Institute.
Close your eyes for a moment. Can you hear the soft whisper of the wind through the vines in Ramat Raziel? Can you smell the sun-baked earth and the wild herbs of the Judean Hills? This is where the story of Razi’el Winery begins—not with a grand plan to expand, but with a family’s refusal to let a historic cellar go silent.
The Ben-Zaken family built their legacy here under the name Domaine du Castel. When the main winery moved to a shiny new facility in 2015, Eli Ben-Zaken and his children—Ariel, Eytan, and Ilana—stayed behind. They didn’t see an empty building; they saw a laboratory for mysteries. They named it Razi’el, after the Archangel of Secrets. And what secrets they are uncovering.
A Sensory Shift: From Bordeaux to the Rhône
Razi’el isn’t just “Castel Junior.” It is a creative rebellion. While its older brother is famous for its structured Bordeaux blends, Razi’el is a love letter to the Mediterranean. Think of it as a shift from a tailored suit to a linen shirt—still elegant, but breathing with the rhythm of the landscape.
The winemaking focus here is artisanal to the core:
  • The Grapes: Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Grenache take center stage. These are varietals that belong to this heat and this soil.
  • The Vessel: Forget the heavy oak of the past. The wines here age in massive 600-liter French oak barrels (demi-muids). Why? Because it lets the wine speak. It preserves the fruit’s vibrancy and the soil’s “terroir” without masking it in wood.
  • The Fizz: Perhaps the most exciting secret is their pioneering work with sparkling wine. Their Brut Nature and Sparkling Rosé are made using the traditional method, bringing a level of sophistication to Israeli bubbles that makes even the most seasoned vinologue take notice.
A Family Affair
What I love most—what truly makes a wine sing—is the human connection. At Razi’el, you feel the family in every bottle. Eli is the visionary, still pushing boundaries after decades. Ariel leads with the mind of a CEO, while Eytan works side-by-side with his father in the cellar, and Ilana ensures these “secrets” reach the world.
This is what wine should be: a total experience. It’s not just a liquid in a glass; it’s a history, a family, and a piece of the Judean Hills. So, pour yourself a glass of Razi’el, put on some music that matches its Mediterranean soul, and let the Archangel tell you a story.
Vintage 2019 Blanc de Blanc – Zero Dosage – 12% alc.
If the red blends of Razi’el are a warm Mediterranean hug, their 2019 Blanc de Blancs Zero Dosage is a bolt of pure, crystalline light. In the world of sparkling wine, “Zero Dosage” (or Brut Nature) is the ultimate test of a winemaker’s skill—there is no sugar added at the end to hide any flaws. It is just the grape, the soil, and the soul.
I recently had the pleasure of exploring this 2019 vintage, and it is a masterclass in tension and elegance. The wine is aged on the bottle for 5 years
Tasting Notes: A Multi-Sensory Experience
  • The Appearance: It pours a pale, shimmering gold with tiny, persistent bubbles—a “mousse” so fine it feels like a soft caress on the palate.
  • The Bouquet: The first sniff is all about freshness. There are vibrant notes of lemon zest and green apple, followed quickly by that sophisticated “bakery” scent—think of a warm, buttery brioche or a fresh French bun cooling on a windowsill.
  • The Palate: This is where the “Zero Dosage” shines. It is bone-dry and medium-bodied, driven by a high, refreshing acidity that makes your mouth water. You’ll find a beautiful mineral backbone—almost like licking a wet stone in the Judean Hills—balanced by a surprising creaminess from its time spent aging on the lees in those large French oak barrels.
  • The Finish: It leaves you with a long, clean, and incredibly precise finish that practically begs for another sip.
A Journalist’s Pairing Tip
Don’t just save this for a toast! This wine is a serious gastronomic partner. I would pair it with exquisite seafood (unfortunally not for me !)  or a delicate sea bass with a touch of saline butter. It’s a wine that doesn’t just accompany a meal; it elevates the entire conversation.