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The Vinotherapy Method.
The world's first Vinotherapy program, helping combat veterans rebuild meaningful lives through the journey of winemaking.
Our work
TERRA UMA is a nonprofit organization offering a unique two-year rehabilitation program for combat veterans living with post-traumatic stress.
Through weekly group facilitation, hands-on work in the vineyard and orchard, and the process of winemaking, participants rebuild confidence, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose.
What begins in the vineyard often becomes the foundation for a new chapter in life.
TERRA UMA is a nonprofit organization offering a unique two-year rehabilitation program for combat veterans living with post-traumatic stress.
Through weekly group facilitation, hands-on work in the vineyard and orchard, and the process of winemaking, participants rebuild confidence, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose.
What begins in the vineyard often becomes the foundation for a new chapter in life.
The Stories Behind the Personal Wine Series
The personal wine series were created by combat veterans coping with PTSD. Each series offers a glimpse into their world and their Vinotherapy journey.
Stav's Wine
"My name is Stav, I'm 33, from Moshav Meitzar in the Golan.
In good times I work in education and in baking bread.
Married to Sahar and father to little Dror.
In the summer of 2023, Sahar and I set off to travel in India. On October 7, 2023, we landed in Thailand.
We flew back to Israel on the first flight out of Bangkok, and on the evening of October 8, 2023, I reported for duty with my unit.
After about a month, and several complex combat events, I was discharged.
The fighting stayed with me, and since then everything is different."
In good times I work in education and in baking bread.
Married to Sahar and father to little Dror.
In the summer of 2023, Sahar and I set off to travel in India. On October 7, 2023, we landed in Thailand.
We flew back to Israel on the first flight out of Bangkok, and on the evening of October 8, 2023, I reported for duty with my unit.
After about a month, and several complex combat events, I was discharged.
The fighting stayed with me, and since then everything is different."
Matan's Wine
"I'm 37, married to Shachar and father to the wonderful Omer. For years I worked in the public sector and in high-tech as an entrepreneur. Alongside that, after my mandatory and career service, I continued in reserve duty in the Oketz unit, on a team of dogs trained to locate the fallen.
October 7 caught me in a place I hadn't expected – like a knife to the soft belly. At the end of the first tour, the people around me, and finally I myself, realized something was different. I began treatment and tried to understand what was happening and how to stop this hemorrhage.
Thanks to the people around me, I entered some kind of rehabilitative direction. I try to do everything I can to keep going and to create. With each passing day, I learn and accept the fact that there is a tomorrow."
October 7 caught me in a place I hadn't expected – like a knife to the soft belly. At the end of the first tour, the people around me, and finally I myself, realized something was different. I began treatment and tried to understand what was happening and how to stop this hemorrhage.
Thanks to the people around me, I entered some kind of rehabilitative direction. I try to do everything I can to keep going and to create. With each passing day, I learn and accept the fact that there is a tomorrow."
Shlomi's Wine
In 1995 I was a Givati infantry soldier and was very severely wounded in an incident in which 8 people around me were killed. Since then, in all sorts of ways, I've tried to rehabilitate myself and return to life. In large part thanks to the wine-therapy process, I managed to find meaning in my life.
Ben's Wine
"My name is Ben, I'm 38, married to Daniel, father to Omer, Dor and Itai.
I served in the regular army and in the reserves in the paratroopers, and took part in dozens of operational activities, including Operation Cast Lead in 2008.
For years I went about the world with symptoms imprinted on me by my military service – such as hypervigilance, hyperarousal, impulsivity and more.
On the morning of October 7, 2023, I was scrambled from home to the south with my teammates, into the inferno of that day.
The sights, the stress and the experiences of that day were, apparently, seared into me, and 20 days later I began having severe panic attacks that ultimately made me stop and reach out for help.
After two years of treatment and a gradual return to routine, I found Tomer and the Terra Uma organization – and from there, the rest is history."
I served in the regular army and in the reserves in the paratroopers, and took part in dozens of operational activities, including Operation Cast Lead in 2008.
For years I went about the world with symptoms imprinted on me by my military service – such as hypervigilance, hyperarousal, impulsivity and more.
On the morning of October 7, 2023, I was scrambled from home to the south with my teammates, into the inferno of that day.
The sights, the stress and the experiences of that day were, apparently, seared into me, and 20 days later I began having severe panic attacks that ultimately made me stop and reach out for help.
After two years of treatment and a gradual return to routine, I found Tomer and the Terra Uma organization – and from there, the rest is history."
Gilad's Wine
On October 7 I left my family and went off to fight – from Rosh HaNikra all the way to being part of the first force to enter Khan Yunis. I left four souls at home to keep up a "normal" daily routine, while I tried to juggle the need to fight out there with the wish to protect my family back home.
Lior's Wine
I'm Lior, from the Golan Heights, married, father of four daughters and grandfather to a grandson. I served in the IDF and the Israel Police for 31 years — as a paratrooper and in a special unit of the Border Police — and today I serve as a reserve combatant in the "Para" unit in the Golan Heights…. Decades of sleeping pills, until my new family doctor snapped me out of the fog and declared, unequivocally, that I'm post-traumatic. Since then I've been coping with broken, partial sleep and an accumulating fatigue that drains my energy. I took myself in hand, and I fill my days with horseback riding, yoga therapy, talking circles, hikes in nature, and — the crowning jewel — the amazing wine journey, which brought enormous hope into my life.
Julie's Wine
"I'm Julie.
I grew up in a wonderful family in Or Akiva, and for the past 20 years I've lived and breathed Tel Aviv.
I love to smell wine, to drink wine, and now also to make wine...
Most of all I love to see people enjoying the magic of wine –
the magic that manages to connect people to one another with elegance and a smile."
I grew up in a wonderful family in Or Akiva, and for the past 20 years I've lived and breathed Tel Aviv.
I love to smell wine, to drink wine, and now also to make wine...
Most of all I love to see people enjoying the magic of wine –
the magic that manages to connect people to one another with elegance and a smile."
Nativ's Wine
"Hi, I'm Nativ, I'm 36, married to Inbar and father to Noam and Yuval.
I'm an engineer by profession, and a home brewer, a potter and an amateur cook with a passion for creating and working with my hands.
Working with my hands gives me a place of quiet and calm, and the result brings me joy and satisfaction to share with the people around me."
I'm an engineer by profession, and a home brewer, a potter and an amateur cook with a passion for creating and working with my hands.
Working with my hands gives me a place of quiet and calm, and the result brings me joy and satisfaction to share with the people around me."
Nir's Wine
"57 years old, married and father to 4 beloved children.
I served as a sapper in Jerusalem in the 1990s, during the era of the suicide bombings. The seeds of post-trauma were already sown back then. The years passed and I became a hedgehog – pricking anyone who came too close, not doing well, angry, prone to outbursts, and not knowing why. Not understanding why. It had no name. It was something in me. But I wasn't always like this. They say I used to be happy. Later on, no longer.
About six years ago I found the name. I have post-trauma. Once there's a name, you can begin to understand, to learn, to read, and then to understand more, to treat it: what I feel, what strengthens and supports me and what doesn't, what to say to those around me so they'll understand and hold me in the less-good moments – and, no less important, to better understand what those dear to me went through during my thorny years, to know that it wasn't simple for them either.
I've been on this journey for 30 years now. Step by step toward a stable, safe place. Within myself, with my loved ones, and in the world."
I served as a sapper in Jerusalem in the 1990s, during the era of the suicide bombings. The seeds of post-trauma were already sown back then. The years passed and I became a hedgehog – pricking anyone who came too close, not doing well, angry, prone to outbursts, and not knowing why. Not understanding why. It had no name. It was something in me. But I wasn't always like this. They say I used to be happy. Later on, no longer.
About six years ago I found the name. I have post-trauma. Once there's a name, you can begin to understand, to learn, to read, and then to understand more, to treat it: what I feel, what strengthens and supports me and what doesn't, what to say to those around me so they'll understand and hold me in the less-good moments – and, no less important, to better understand what those dear to me went through during my thorny years, to know that it wasn't simple for them either.
I've been on this journey for 30 years now. Step by step toward a stable, safe place. Within myself, with my loved ones, and in the world."
Noa's Wine
"My name is Noa, I'm 23, and I was a combat soldier and commander in the Search and Rescue Brigade. On October 7, 2023, I was a recruits' sergeant at the Zikim base, after 2.4 years of service, and I was very severely wounded by gunfire to the head during combat against the terrorists.
During the fighting we lost 7 friends – 6 commanders and a recruit.
Since then, I've been in intensive, long-term rehabilitation, working to return to life as fully as I can!"
During the fighting we lost 7 friends – 6 commanders and a recruit.
Since then, I've been in intensive, long-term rehabilitation, working to return to life as fully as I can!"
Yoni's Wine
"41 years old, married to Hani and father to Uria, Ofir and Ami.
Self-employed, dreaming of being a Pac-Man of experiences."
Self-employed, dreaming of being a Pac-Man of experiences."
Gabriel's Wine
A man of family, of quiet, and of a deep connection to the land and to my roots. Throughout my life I've always believed in the power of quiet action and in the importance of the family anchor that holds us even on stormy days.
Noam's Wine
Married to Li-Or, father of Aya, Yehali and Liya.
Hagar's Wine
My name is Hagar. I served in the army in various roles, including combat positions. In a battle in the Khan Yunis area, my life took a turn onto a new course – one I have learned to accept and to live with.
Uriel's Wine
My name is Uriel Shukron, I'm 26, married to Roni and father to Raz. On October 7 I found myself – a platoon commander in the paratroopers – fighting alongside my soldiers for the home of us all and for our beloved country. The toll was heavy: I lost beloved soldiers, and during the battles I was even critically wounded. From there the road was, and still is, long and winding.
Tomer's Wine
A kibbutznik from birth, married to Vered and father to Yanai, Yehonatan and Hila. I spent most of my life in the fields and open landscapes, on a tractor or by foot. Without planning it, the way back to breathing began with renewed contact with the earth.
Raz's Wine
"32 years old, from Tel Aviv, married to Reut and father of Gaia.
I love food, people and nature, and I cope with post-trauma from the "Protective Edge" war – I served as a medic in the Nahal brigade."
I love food, people and nature, and I cope with post-trauma from the "Protective Edge" war – I served as a medic in the Nahal brigade."
Mauricio's Wine
My name is Mauricio, born in '91 in Caracas, Venezuela. Son of my mother Yolanda from Mexico and my father Pedro from Argentina. The youngest child in a family with two older brothers and an older sister.
I immigrated to Israel out of Zionist dreams, values and ideology, with the aim of enlisting and serving the country through service in the IDF.
During combat in Operation Brother's Keeper and later Operation Protective Edge, I was physically wounded, and because of my injuries I was recognized as a disabled IDF veteran.
I was discharged from the army and went on with my life, but I was no longer the same person I had been before.
I pushed it away and decided to put on a mask – something to hide my feelings from those around me, and perhaps even from myself.
For years I went about that way, and along the road, after I met the love of my life who would one day become my wife and the mother of my children, the penny finally dropped: I don't have to wear a mask.
I can acknowledge this, and it won't make me "less of a man," it won't make me "damaged."
Just as I learned to cope with the pain of my physical injuries through regular treatment, so I will do with my emotional injury as well."
I immigrated to Israel out of Zionist dreams, values and ideology, with the aim of enlisting and serving the country through service in the IDF.
During combat in Operation Brother's Keeper and later Operation Protective Edge, I was physically wounded, and because of my injuries I was recognized as a disabled IDF veteran.
I was discharged from the army and went on with my life, but I was no longer the same person I had been before.
I pushed it away and decided to put on a mask – something to hide my feelings from those around me, and perhaps even from myself.
For years I went about that way, and along the road, after I met the love of my life who would one day become my wife and the mother of my children, the penny finally dropped: I don't have to wear a mask.
I can acknowledge this, and it won't make me "less of a man," it won't make me "damaged."
Just as I learned to cope with the pain of my physical injuries through regular treatment, so I will do with my emotional injury as well."
Shachar's Wine
"My name is Shachar.
I'm 32, curly-haired and full of smiles."
I'm 32, curly-haired and full of smiles."
Shoko's Wine
"Nice to meet you – my name is Shoko, I'm 45, married to a gem of a woman, and together we are parents to three ❤️
In recent years I was diagnosed with combat PTSD, but it turned out that post-trauma had always been with me, for 20 years; it was always there, only no one told us... In short, my story is about facing the monster for some 20 years without any awareness, thinking you're simply crazy or strange, and plenty of images of that kind... and then the diagnosis, and the understanding on the sufferer's part, at least toward himself. He understands better what he's fighting – or trying finally to stop fighting."
In recent years I was diagnosed with combat PTSD, but it turned out that post-trauma had always been with me, for 20 years; it was always there, only no one told us... In short, my story is about facing the monster for some 20 years without any awareness, thinking you're simply crazy or strange, and plenty of images of that kind... and then the diagnosis, and the understanding on the sufferer's part, at least toward himself. He understands better what he's fighting – or trying finally to stop fighting."
Itay's Wine
Hey, my name is Itay, I'm 32, married to Tamar and father to Carmi. I served in combat engineering and, in recent years, devoted most of my days to reserve duty – a reality that brought many challenges to my routine and to life at home.
Yonatan's Wine
I come from Kibbutz Degania Alef, fourth generation of the very first kibbutz. A classic kibbutz story – until I reached the army and everything turned upside down. After that I ran away to Australia for three years and then came back to Israel. I worked in the dairy barn for about 12 years and then moved into beekeeping, working as a beekeeper for three years in the south of the country, in Moshav Ein Yahav. Farming is in my blood. When I came to the program, it fit like an interlocking stone into the path of my life. I didn't really know where I was heading or what awaited me, but I knew that if farming and emotion were involved, this was my place.
100% of the proceeds go directly to the rehabilitation of the Veterans
Our Journeys in Numbers
20+
Therapists & Support Staff
100+
Combat Veterans
20+
Lead Winemakers
300+
Volunteers
Ido Lewinson MW ,
Asaf Margalit
Margalit Winery
Dana Bani
Head winemaker - Tulip-Maya Winery
Guy Eshel
Or Nadbach
Head Winemaker, Tabor Winery
Dror Engelstein
Dan Sheinman
Eyal Drori
Maytal Damari-Kol
Anat Kedar.
Yonatan Koren
Head winemaker - 8 Winery
Mayram Harel
Stas Feldbein
Rosenthal Cuba songs
Moran Hadar – Sorek Winery
Chai Wortman
Dor Fenty
Adar Ben Shlush
Our professional team
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