Israel's Negev Desert is likely to become an important vine growing area, despite unfavorable farming conditions and a shortage of fresh water. Studies reveal that Negev groundwater, of which there is an abundance, can nourish grapevines and produce commercial yields.

Furthermore, the wine produced from these grapes is of equal quality to normally irrigated vines and in some cases, of superior quality. The research was conducted by a team, lead by Professor Ami Bravdo of the Hebrew University’s  Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences.

In the Negev there are wide areas suitable for agriculture, but their development is hindered by the shortage of water. The Negev has many underground aquifers but their high salinity prevents a wide agricultural use. Therefore, research is aimed at adopting crops that can produce commercial yields under saline conditions and development of cultural practices for growing crops under such conditions.

Professor Bravdo's team started their research by studying the performance of 14 different vine rootstocks under various salinity levels. Two rootstocks showed the best resistance to high saline irrigation water. An experimental plot of Cabernet Sauvignon grafted on these two rootstocks was drip irrigated and a specific salt leaching and fertilization program was employed. The composition and quality of the wine  was compared with wines from other regions in Israel and its specific characteristics were determined.

Surprising results
It was found that while moderate salinity improved wine quality, a further rise in salinity of the irrigation water lowered the general quality as well as wine flavor and aroma scores.
Chemical analysis of aroma compounds showed a significant effect of saline water irrigation on the content of 16 different compounds in the wines, and an enhancement of their aromatic qualities was found. These results leaded to an increased planting of vineyards in the Negev highlands, which have an abundance of saline water and a climate suitable for grape growing.