What if the story of redemption was hidden not only in the Haggadah, but in the very grapes of the Land of Israel? In this episode, Franny Waisman explores the powerful connection between archaeology, biblical prophecy, and Israel’s modern wine revival through a fascinating conversation with Professor Shivi Drori.

Franny Waisman opens the episode by connecting Passover’s third cup, biblical themes of redemption, and the story of Israel’s wine revival. She is joined by Professor Shivi Drori, an enology professor whose groundbreaking research focuses on indigenous Israeli grape varieties. Professor Drori explains how viticulture and winemaking are tied to permanent settlement in the land, and how Israel’s ancient wine industry declined over time, especially under Muslim rule when wine production was restricted and grape growing shifted toward table grapes.

Over more than a decade of research, Drori and his team surveyed the country, collected hundreds of wild grapevines, and identified nearly 100 unique indigenous varieties, including ancient wild ancestors. He also shares how they are working to connect present-day vines with archaeological grape seeds using DNA and seed analysis, revealing that some of these varieties may have been used as far back as 2,000 years ago. The conversation explores Israel’s opportunity to lead the wine world with truly local grapes, the surprising prominence of white wine in the ancient world, and the role wine continues to play in Jewish sanctification and identity. Franny frames the discussion as a story of redemption through restoration, bringing back to light what was never fully lost.

Professor Shivi Drori is an enology professor and leading researcher in the field of indigenous Israeli grape varieties. His work bridges agriculture, archaeology, genetics, and history, with a focus on uncovering the ancient roots of winemaking in the Land of Israel and helping shape its future.

* Wine in the Land of Israel is not just agriculture. It is deeply tied to settlement, identity, and continuity.

* Indigenous Israeli grape varieties may offer a unique future for the modern wine industry.

* Archaeology and ancient DNA are helping recover parts of Israel’s forgotten viticultural history.

* Redemption can be understood not only as escape, but as restoration of what was hidden or lost.

* Supporting Israeli wineries connects the present to a much older story rooted in the land itself.

00:00 Introduction and the theme of the third cup

02:10 Why wine matters in the story of redemption

05:00 Meet Professor Shivi Drori

08:15 How wine reflects permanent settlement in the land

12:40 Why Israel’s ancient wine industry declined

17:25 Rediscovering indigenous Israeli grape varieties

23:10 Ancient DNA and archaeological grape seed research

29:00 What ancient wine in Israel may have looked like

33:45 Israel’s opportunity to lead with local grapes

38:20 Wine, sanctification, and Jewish life

42:10 Redemption as restoration

45:00 Preview of the fourth cup and final reflections

Ready to discover how redemption can be found in the soil, the vine, and the story of the Land of Israel?

Tune in to the full episode for a fascinating conversation about archaeology, biblical history, and the revival of Israeli wine.

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Ready to experience it for yourself? Visit https://judeasamariaexperience.com/ to plan your journey to Judea and Samaria.