Autumn colors light up Mediterranean vineyards

The sun hazily illuminates reddening autumn vines in the Israeli countryside. The Mediterranean has been known for its wine for around 4,000 years. Wine was developed in the Mediterranean long before it reached the rest of Europe; Israeli wine was so desirable that Romans imported it to Italy.

Vine leaves transition into their fall colors in the Dalton Winery vineyard by the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. (Photo: David Silverman/Getty Images)

This particular vineyard belongs to Dalton, a family-owned winery overlooking Mount Hermon. According to its website, Dalton makes about 800,000 bottles of wine a year.

Israeli wine is produced in five major regions throughout the country: the Galilee, the Judean Hills, the Samson region, the Negev and the Shomron region. But the Galilee is one of the most active areas. Wines such as Carignan, Mourvedre, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Muscat of Alexandria and Chardonnay are produced in the area.

More than 130 Israeli wineries, many of them small boutique operations, produce an estimated 35 million bottles of wine a year. (Photo: Yair Aronshtam/Flickr)

But hey, it's not all about the alcohol. There's something ancient and luxurious about bunches of grapes hanging from lacy leaves, features that make these vineyards as beautiful as their wine is tasty.