about
Bat Shlomo vineyards people
"If you want to truly understand the origins of modern Israel, you can do so in the roots of Bat Shlomo and its wine culture. This is a snapshot of that period. This is the beginning."
אלי וורטמן, וינטנר
Elie Wurtman is a serial entrepreneur, venture investor and technology-company executive who has spent the last 20 years advancing technology in Israel. In addition to business entrepreneurship, Elie is active in several social and ideological initiatives, including PICO Jerusalem, a co-working space, that aims to revitalize the creative start-up scene in Israel's capital, and Regavim, an innovative high school program, integrating agricultural work with academic studies. Elie's pioneering spirit and passion for fine Israeli wine, led him to pursue Baron Edmond de Rothschild's dream and replant the vineyards of Old Bat Shlomo. Elie is a fellow of the Middle East Leadership Initiative of the Aspen Institute and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
ארי ארל'ה, יינן
Ari Erle, born in Travis Air Force Base by Napa Valley, made Aliyah in 1994, and joined the IDF during his freshman year in college at the University of Washington. He later completed his degree at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in Political Science. After working at the Jewish National Fund and the the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee for several years, Ari went back to school to study Viticulture and Oenology at the Napa Valley College and UC Davis. Before returning to Israel, he worked in Napa Valley for Colgin Cellars, Clos Du Val, Elizabeth Spencer and O Shaughnessy. Ari's love for agriculture, science, technology and Israel has been the driving force behind his passion for winemaking. He joined Elie's vision and helped create Bat Shlomo Vineyards. In addition to his work with Bat Shlomo, Ari teaches practical winemaking at the Ohalo College in Katzrin, Israel.
