A TASTE OF THE STORY
A Traditionaly Family Distillery
After years of working in agriculture, education, with youth and travelers, we chose a new path that honors the Arava region, our home. In this agricultural area nestled in Israel's southern desert, we discovered an unfortunate truth: massive amounts of dates don't qualify, are unsuitable and discarded with no use.
We decided to combine our passion for recycling, building, and creativity with our love for a good drink by opening our own boutique craft distillery.
Our story is one of love, family, and new beginnings. It weaves together East and West, the religious and secular aspects of Judaism. In our distillery, we bring together secrets from history with innovative and modern techniques, all inspired by one small biblical fruit, the slow pace of the desert, and a deep passion for perfection.
ALL THIS MAKES OUR SPIRITS THE BEST THERE IS!
As grandfather Yehezkel said: "what is this place? this is heaven here!"
A TASTE OF AMITAY'S STORY
"THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS"
The dream of establishing a distillery had been brewing for several years. It was Shimshon who initiated and pushed us to purchase our first still and set up the place. After a few days filled with thoughts, conversations, and deliberations, we made the purchase and waited. We waited for the special copper still, designed in a bain-marie, double wall style, perfect for fruit distillation, to arrive all the way from Portugal!
While the still was being "brewed," something new was also brewing, this time in Tamar's belly, Yon’s wife, the daughter of Eliyahu, and the sister of Shimshon and Oded – Eliyahu's first grandchild!
We held the Brit Milah at home in Tsofar, with Eliyahu - the godfather sitting on the "Elijah's chair" traditional jeweish chair for the Sandak (the godfather). And behind the magnificent chair, by chance and of course not by chance, was the beautiful copper still of the distillery that had finally arrived this day, adding to the celebration! The name of the child was revealed – "Amitay." Just like the title of the story – nothing in life is random! Eliyahu immediately connected the two stories and named our first drink – "Arak Amitai!"