Zichron Ya'akov

ah so we finally arrive at my favorite place in all of israel. the streets, the art, the food and the people. besdies for the holy cities such as Jerusalem and Tzfat. it may be a little of the way but i highly recommend it for those interestead in a sophisticated Greenwhich village atmosphere. located about 22 miles south of Haifaand at the southern end of the Carmel mountain range overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, near Highway 2.
Zikhron Ya’akov is a wonderful town for tourists, both local and foreign. This picturesque moshava semi-cooperative farming community built at the tip of the Carmel mountain range is the first moshava ever built in Israel and is a main tourism and vacation site in this region.
Anyone who visits Zikhron Ya’akov goes straight to Ha-Nadiv Street, and Ha-Meyasdim Street in the town center, which has become a very popular pedestrian mall, thanks to the special atmosphere in this place. The streets are paved with stones and pass between the moshava’s original houses (some of which have been reconstructed), which are bustling with activity.
There are many quaint and charming restaurants and coffee shops, interspersed between beautifully designed stores that sell local art works and lovely souvenirs. There are art galleries, unique artists' studios and workshops. New, modern buildings stand alongside old ones, such as the synagogue and the administration building, an old courtyard with a display of antique agricultural implements.
Two of the moshava’s original buildings have been turned into history museums: Beit Aharonson - dedicated to the history of the pre-state NILI underground resistance organization - and the Museum of the First Aliya (wave of immigration to Israel). All these and more make the main street a vibrant and colorful celebration of history and life.

From its early days, Zikhron Ya’akov had two main characteristics: wine and tranquility. The moshava’s founding farmers cultivated vineyards and the large winery built here in 1889 became the area’s most important industry. The winery (now owned by Carmel Mizrahi wineries), has a visitors center with free guided tours. During the British Mandate period (1917-1948), the moshava became a holiday resort and rural vacations site, and to this day has hotels, spas and guesthouses.

Zikhron Ya’akov was founded in 1882 and was assisted greatly by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, a Jewish philanthropist who established and financially supported many of the early moshava communities. During World War I the moshava became the headquarters of the NILI underground organization, which provided the British with intelligence information in order to help the British conquer the Turks, who ruled the country at that time. Despite rapid urban development after Israel’s independence, and even though the local population has grown thanks to immigration absorption, the unique rustic character of the town has been preserved.

Zikhron Ya’akov is surrounded by many tourism sites. To the south are the Ramat ha-Nadiv Gardens, a special, well-tended garden planted around the tombs of Baron Rothschild and his wife Adelaide. Opposite the gardens is a lovely nature reserve with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean coastline. Near the entrance to these sites is Ha-Nokdim farm, which offers activities from the past, such as camel rides and Bedouin hospitality, for children and families. Further south is the beautiful Shuni fortress, from the Roman period, and to the north the Carmel mountains rise in all their glory.
now around here i would usually include some of the kosher resturants but because we're dealing with wine country, and most people dont come to zichron for the food, here are some of the best wineries (the first and last are my favorite) 
Tishbi Estate Winery
Along with being the 5th largest winery in Israel, producing 1 million bottles a year, Tishbi has a kosher dairy restaurant attached to the winery. They also have a café located along the Promenade in Zichron Yaakov Center.
The restaurant at the winery has two seating areas, one is outside under a canopy of vines, which is majestic.
Also, do not miss the Oshra Fine Food products which consist of wine jams and olive oils. Some of Oshra’s wine jams are Mango Chardonnay, Fig Cabernet, Merlot, Late Harvest Riesling, Strawberry Merlot and many more! 

Carmel Winery
the oldest established winery in Israel, which just celebrated their 120th year in existence, has a Visitors Center and a very nice kosher, dairy Bistro. The menu consists of fish, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, paella, couscous, and salads.

Binyamina Winery
an old perfume factory during the time of Edmond Baron De Rothschild’s influence in Zichron Yaakov.The Winery has a kosher dairy and meat restaurant attached to the winery. The winery also produces a variety of liquors, such as chocolate, peach, amaretto, and berries.
Gush Etzion Winery
has a kosher dairy restaurant attached to their facility. They serve pasta, pizza, sandwiches, Israeli breakfast, shakshuka, and fish dishes.
Adir Winery
located in the Upper Galilee, in the Dalton Industrial area. Adir Winery is a boutique kosher winery producing 30,000 bottles annually. Adir is also a dairy and while you drink your deep oaked red wine and dessert wine you can enjoy a tasting of kosher organic goat cheese (is so much better than it actually sounds), aged for 3 months, 6 months and 2 years. There is also a cheese platter with gourmet cheeses and goat yogurt and ice-cream. Adir Winery has a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking their vineyards. The customer service is wonderful and the ambiance is extremly classy.

(stay tuned for Jerusalem)