Vered Ben Saadon
Vered Ben SaadonTura Winery

Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, who is in charge of the events in honor of the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel, on Sunday informed Vered Ben Saadon, owner of the Tura Winery in the Samaria town of Rehelim, that she had been chosen from among the recommendations of a public advisory committee to light a torch on Mount Herzl on the 75th Independence Day of the State of Israel.

Ben Saadon was born in the Netherlands, made Aliyah to Israel and settled in Samaria. Together with her husband, Erez, they established their home in the community of Bracha in Samaria, and invested all their savings in purchasing twenty dunams of a vineyard and later in the opening of the Tura Winery.

Despite many struggles and difficulties, the family winery became a high-quality boutique winery, which wins international awards and brings respect to the entire Israeli wine industry.

Regev said, "The vineyards that our ancestors planted in the land of Samaria thousands of years ago are returning to bloom today thanks to pioneers like Vered Ben Saadon. Pioneer, farmer, entrepreneur and an inspiring woman."

The head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, spoke with Ben Saadon following the announcement and congratulated her. In a message to the residents of Samaria, he wrote, "On behalf of all the residents of Samaria, I congratulate Vered Ben Saadon, one of the pioneers of the vineyard and wine revolution in Samaria, for being chosen to light a torch on Israel's 75th Independence Day. Vered and Erez Ben Saadon symbolize pioneering, idealism and fulfillmentof the residents of Samaria in this generation. With dedication while investing all their money, sometimes risking their lives, they led the revolution of vineyards and wine in Samaria. This is a symbol of honor for Vered Ben Saadon and a symbol of respect for the settlement in Samaria."