A Night Out at Shmoné Wine Bar

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All photots by Lisa Denning

If you haven’t yet discovered Shmoné Wine in New York City, you need to find your way there! Located on 8th Street next to its Michelin-starred sibling Shmoné Restaurant, this cozy, candlelit space can serve as a relaxed but lively spot for a pre- or post-dinner drink, or for enjoying the whole evening.

Typically, the bar’s list spans the globe, but on one recent evening, only Israeli wines were being poured for a special event led by Guy Haran, founder of travel company Vinspiration, whose focus is on food and wine.

Travel Through Taste

Based in Israel, Haran’s company creates culinary and wine journeys around the world, from truffle hunting in Italy to vineyard visits in France and Mexico. But that night, the focus was firmly on Israel, a country whose wine scene has evolved dramatically in recent decades.

Haran began the evening by sharing his philosophy that wine and food are one of the most powerful ways to bring people together. “Everything happens around the table,” he said. “People connect through wine and food, and you can understand cultures through them.”

Guy Haran

Haran is co-author of Wine Journey: An Israeli Adventure, a beautifully designed guide to Israel’s wine culture.

Shareable Snacks

It’s a belief that fits with the vibe at Shmoné Wine, where the menu changes according to what’s in season, and everything is meant to be shared. It isn’t a full restaurant menu but rather a selection of small plates and bar bites. If you order enough of them, you’ll leave perfectly satisfied, like I did.

Executive Chef Orianne Shapira and her team sent out an array of dishes that paired beautifully with the Israeli wines, selected by Haran and Shmoné’s wine director Yonatan Chaitchik. There were Jerusalem bagels brushed with olive oil and za’atar (a must-order!), served alongside olive oil jam and cured lemon olives, a winning sweet and salty combination.

The Hokkaido scallop carpaccio (another must-order dish!) came drizzled with yuzu, kosho, and brown butter. The dish was so light, yet so flavorful. And no Israeli meal would be complete without an Israeli salad, simple and refreshing, a perfect palate cleanser between sips.

A trio of cheeses followed: Old Farmdale, Crèmeux de Bourgogne, and cave-aged blue. Each type had a different texture and flavor, pairing especially well with the sparkling wines.

Jerusalem bagels

Scallop Crudo

Between pours, Haran talked about how his company, Vinspiration, builds “hands-on” experiences that go beyond sightseeing. Travelers might join a local family for dinner, learn traditional recipes, or spend a morning harvesting grapes. “You can visit Paris or Rome,” he said, “but when you share a home-cooked meal with locals, you really get to know the place.”

Haran told me he and his team have been doing this for 15 years, and they’ve developed close friendships with many of their hosts. “They understand that this is a way to connect with others,” he said. “Most of them have their own products: wine, cheese, olive oil, or something else, so they’re happy to share what they do. People love showing their craft.”

And speaking of craft, Israeli winemakers today are excercising their many skills to make quality wine. Here’s a small selection of top wines being poured that night.

The Wines

  • Sphera White Concepts Riesling 2021
    Region: Judean Hills
    Grape: Riesling
    Style / Notes: Dry, mineral-driven, bright acidity, subtle saline note
    Impression: Beautifully balanced and very food-friendly; shows Doron Rav Hon’s mastery of white wines

  • Feldstein Dabouki Dry White 2023
    Region: Judean Hills
    Grape: Dabouki (native variety)
    Style / Notes: Round yet lively, with hints of orchard fruit and herbs
    Impression: Memorable and distinctive; showcases Israel’s heritage grapes

  • Razi’el Sparkling Chardonnay (NV)
    Region: Yad Hashmona
    Grape: Chardonnay
    Style / Notes: Rich, toasty, yet lifted and refined
    Impression: Made by the Castel family; an excellent example of Israeli sparkling wine

  • Yarden Galilee Blanc de Blancs 2019
    Region: Galilee
    Grape: Chardonnay
    Style / Notes: Fine bubbles, crisp apple notes
    Impression: Elegant and refreshing; proof of Israel’s potential for high-quality sparkling wines

  • Vitkin Carignan 2021
    Region: Various old-vine sites
    Grape: Carignan
    Style / Notes: Vibrant, medium-bodied, juicy and spicy
    Impression: Full of character and a perfect match for Shmoné’s food; part of Israel’s Carignan revival

  • Margalit Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve 2011
    Region: Galilee
    Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
    Style / Notes: Structured, oaky notes of vanilla, dark fruit, subtle cedar, lingering finish
    Impression: Elegant and well-balanced; paired beautifully with the heartier dishes on the table

By the end of the evening, the crowd at Shmoné Wine Bar was filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and new friendships, the universal language of good food and wine.

Shmoné Wine is a ‘no reservations’ bar—just come as you are.