Shomron called also Samaria is one of the most significant and the largest wine-growing regions located in the south coastal line of Israel. It is also one of the first regions where Edmond de Rothschild planted vineyards at the end of the 19th century, making one of the country's best wines at the moment. The climate of Shomron is Mediterranean with warm summers and mild, relatively wet winters. The soils type here include calcareous clay, terra rossa, limestone and chalk. There are two notable wine-growing districts including the Mount Carmel and Sharon within this region. Both are planted, with predominantly French grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sémillon, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Most of the vineyards are concentrated in the valleys surrounding the winery towns of Zichron and Yaakov. The country has plans to make the Shomron wine region, the wine centre of Israel, and to promote it on the international wine markets.