A Local Story
Our Story.
Jerusalem Wineries Agricultural Cooperative, owned by the Guetta family from Moshav Bnei Reem, who have a long tradition of grape-growing and decided to expand their interests to wine-making and tourism, remains the only operational winery in Jerusalem making a wide range of quality wines.
Our tasting room is situated at the historic Montefiore Windmill in Mishkenot Sha’ananim, overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City, where the winery was founded over 150 years ago. Over the past decade, the winery has undergone a revival, with significant investments in our vineyards and the winery itself, allowing us to create quality wines sold in Israel and abroad, and have won accolades in the leading international wine competitions.
Roots
HISTORIC CONNECTION TO JERUSALEM.
The Montefiore Windmill, which symbolizes the expansion of Jewish Jerusalem outside the Old City walls, has great historical importance to the city.
The winery’s journey, which began within the ancient walls, left the confines of the Old City after the establishment of the state of Israel, has returned and reconnected to its roots.
The winery is the only winery to operate in the capital of Israel. By establishing our Visitors Center at the Montefiore Windmill, we have strengthened our deep connection to the Old City, telling the story of the site, where past and future meet, to create a space for visitors to meet the neighborhood and the city while enjoying our local wines.
Photos: (Upper) 1950 by Teddy Brauner/GPO, (Lower) 1990 by Yaacov Saar/GPOֿ
From our outstanding vineyards in the Jerusalem Mountains, the Judean Plains and the slopes of the Carmel we produce wines, history and a connection to the Old City, Jerusalem and culture.
THE WINDMILL’S STORY.
Mountain air as clear as wine
“Mountain air as clear as wine”
The Montefiore windmill was built in 1857 by Sir Moses and Judith Montefiore on the hill above the Sultan’s Pool, overlooking the Old City walls, Mt. Zion, and the Tower of David.
In recent years the windmill has been extensively renovated, and in 2018 the Winery established its Visitors Center in the impressive structure. 161 years after its construction, the windmill has come back to life as one of the most important landmarks in the city, attracting thousands of visitors from Israel and abroad.
Its location in Mishkenot Sha’ananim allows visitors to taste history and quality Jerusalem wines while taking in the spectacular and breathtaking Jerusalem landscape.
Photos: (Left and Center) 2006 by Mark Neyman/GPO
The winery’s visitor center was established to strengthen the winery’s deep connection to Jerusalem, share the story of this historic site, and invite visitors to experience the past and future of the neighborhood and the city while tasting local wine.
Taste
From outstanding vineyards in the Jerusalem Hills and on the slopes of Mount Carmel, we craft wines with a distinctive varietal and regional character. Complex and elegant, the wines are aged in a combination of oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks.