--- title: A Windmill, a Glass of Wine, and 150 Years of Jerusalem History! description: Explore Jerusalem Wineries at the historic Montefiore Windmill. Discover Israeli wines, stunning Old City views, and a unique wine-tasting experience. image: https://kosherwineschool.com/hubfs/IMG_8995.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://kosherwineschool.com/a-windmill-a-glass-of-wine-and-150-years-of-jerusalem-history#main-content) [![Kosher Wine School](https://kosherwineschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kosher%20Wine%20School.png?width=500&height=500&name=Kosher%20Wine%20School.png)Homepage](https://kosherwineschool.com/) ![](https://kosherwineschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_8995.jpeg?width=3120&height=2340&name=IMG_8995.jpeg) Israeli Wines # A Windmill, a Glass of Wine, and 150 Years of Jerusalem History! ![Dovid Schwartzberg](https://kosherwineschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/dc942040-8bd1-47fe-9f28-20d4f2bec10f.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=dc942040-8bd1-47fe-9f28-20d4f2bec10f.jpg) Dovid Schwartzberg October 13, 2026 ### Discovering Jerusalem Wineries in the heart of Jerusalem I've visited wineries tucked away in the mountains, driven through vineyards in the middle of nowhere, and found myself in some pretty interesting places in pursuit of a good glass of wine. But this time, my winery adventure brought me somewhere completely different. Right into the heart of Jerusalem! And not just anywhere in Jerusalem. We're talking about a historic windmill, overlooking the Old City walls, in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the capital. Yes, a windmill! And yes, there's wine inside! Welcome to Jerusalem Wineries, located at the famous Montefiore Windmill in Mishkenot Sha'ananim. ## First, Let's Talk About This Location! If you're visiting Jerusalem and staying at one of the many hotels near the Old City, you might be surprised to discover that a wonderful wine experience is practically around the corner. The winery's visitor center is located in Mishkenot Sha'ananim, one of Jerusalem's most picturesque neighborhoods, with its beautiful stone buildings, winding pathways, and incredible views of Mount Zion and the Old City. But this isn't just another pretty Jerusalem neighborhood. Mishkenot Sha'ananim was the first Jewish neighborhood built outside the walls of the Old City, back in 1859–1860, thanks to the efforts of Sir Moses Montefiore. Imagine that for a moment. For generations, Jewish life in Jerusalem was largely concentrated within the Old City walls. Then came Montefiore, helping establish a neighborhood beyond those walls and opening a new chapter in the history of modern Jerusalem. And right there, towering over the neighborhood, stands the Montefiore Windmill, built in 1857. Originally constructed to grind flour and help the Jewish community become more self-sufficient, the windmill has become one of Jerusalem's most recognizable landmarks. Who would have imagined that more than 160 years later, people would be walking inside to buy bottles of wine? Now that's what I call a change of business! Right next door is the beautiful Bloomfield Garden, 17 acres of green lawns, walking paths, and some spectacular views of the Old City walls. You could easily spend a good part of your afternoon exploring this area, even before you've had your first sip of wine. ## So, What's Inside This Windmill? As we approached the visitor center, the first thing that caught my attention was, naturally, the enormous windmill standing above us. It's not every day you walk into a windmill to go wine shopping! Inside, the historic structure has been beautifully restored, and the winery has created a charming space where visitors can browse and purchase its wines. You can even arrange a tour that takes you up into the windmill itself. But the real treat is outside. Picture yourself sitting in the open Jerusalem air, a glass of wine in hand, perhaps some cheeses on the table, and the breathtaking Jerusalem landscape spread out before you. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon! We were greeted by Ayalet Hashachar, the visitor center manager, who took us around and gave us a fascinating introduction to the winery, its history, and, of course, its wines. And as it turns out, Jerusalem Wineries has quite a story to tell. ## A Winery That Found Its Way Back Home The story begins more than 150 years ago, when the Mendelson family established a winery inside Jerusalem's Old City. Over time, the winery moved beyond the ancient walls, eventually relocating to northern Jerusalem in 1976. Then, in 2006, the Guetta family, who come from a long tradition of grape growing in Moshav Bnei Re'em, acquired the winery, formerly known as Shimshon Winery. They invested heavily in improving the vineyards, upgrading production, and building the winery into the operation it is today. And here's something interesting. Jerusalem Wineries is the only operational winery within the city of Jerusalem! In 2018, the winery opened its visitor center at the restored Montefiore Windmill, bringing its story back toward the very place where it all began. From the Old City to northern Jerusalem and back to the doorstep of Jerusalem's ancient walls. Quite a journey for a winery! ## But Where Are the Vineyards? Now, you might be wondering, where exactly are they growing all these grapes? After all, I don't recall seeing rows of Cabernet Sauvignon growing alongside Jerusalem's light rail! While the winery operates in Jerusalem, its grapes come from three excellent wine-growing regions. The Jerusalem Hills, where vineyards reach elevations of 700 to 850 meters, offer cool nights, limestone-rich soils, and ideal growing conditions for varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. The Carmel Slopes, a historic wine region developed during the days of Baron Edmond de Rothschild, produce varieties including Carignan, Petite Sirah, Colombard, and Marselan. And the Judean Foothills, where grapes have been cultivated for thousands of years, provide excellent conditions for varieties such as Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, and Muscat. Put these three regions together, add an experienced winemaker, and you've got the ingredients for some very interesting wines. Speaking of winemakers, the man behind the bottles is Lior Lacser, the winery's CEO and head winemaker. Lior studied winemaking in Burgundy, France, and worked in Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Western Australia before bringing his experience back to Israel. ## Now, Let's Get to the Wine! Ayalet walked us through the winery's four wine collections, explaining how each one offers something different. What I found particularly interesting is that you can take the same grape variety, let's say Cabernet Sauvignon, and taste it across different collections. Suddenly, you're comparing aromas, body, texture, and complexity, discovering how the same grape can express itself in different ways. The Cellar Collection is the winery's everyday range, offering easy-drinking wines that you can find in stores without breaking the bank. Then comes the Vintage Collection, offering excellent value for money. These are approachable wines for people who want something enjoyable and well-made at a reasonable price. Next is the Premium Collection, where the wines become a little more sophisticated. And here's where Ayalet introduced us to one of the winery's popular wines, the Marselan. Never heard of Marselan? It's a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, and it tends to be fruitier, softer, and medium-bodied compared with many traditional Cabernets. According to Ayalet, people actually come from all over looking specifically for their Marselan! Their rosé is another big seller. And then we arrived at the collection that really caught my attention. ## The Windmill Project: Now We're Talking! The Windmill Project is Jerusalem Wineries' flagship collection, featuring some of its finest wines. Within this collection are the Single Vineyard wines, including Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. These are rich, mature wines that spend at least 15 months aging in barrels, developing more depth and complexity. Then there's the Special Reserve. This is where the winemaking process gets particularly interesting. Rather than simply combining different grapes at the beginning, the varieties are handled separately, allowing each to develop its own character before the wines are eventually blended and aged further. It's a more involved process, and the Special Reserve sits among the winery's most expensive offerings. But then Ayalet mentioned something that immediately got my attention. Fortified Shiraz. Wait a minute. Did somebody say port-style wine? ## You Had Me at Port! Now, if you've followed my wine adventures, you may have noticed that I have a particular weakness for port wines. There's something about finishing a good meal with a small glass of rich, sweet, fortified wine that I thoroughly enjoy. And when I discovered that Jerusalem Wineries makes a fortified Shiraz as part of its Windmill Project collection, well, that bottle was practically already in my shopping bag. Made with Shiraz grapes and fortified with brandy, it comes in at around 17% alcohol. Rich, sweet, and perfect for sipping after a meal. And at 17%, let's say it's the kind of wine that can make a good evening even more enjoyable! ## I Came to Visit. Three Bottles Came Home. Of course, you can't expect me to visit a winery, learn about all these wines, and leave empty-handed. That would be terribly irresponsible wine research! So, three bottles came home with me. First was the Windmill Project Fortified Shiraz. No surprise there! Next was a Moscato from the Vintage collection, an Italian import offered by the winery. And finally, a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Premium collection. Three very different wines, each with its own personality. And here's something I appreciated. The prices were quite reasonable! You don't have to spend a fortune to walk away with some enjoyable bottles from Jerusalem Wineries. ## There's More Than One Place to Visit Something else I learned is that Jerusalem Wineries has two visitor centers. The first, of course, is the beautiful Montefiore Windmill in Mishkenot Sha'ananim. The second is called JERUZ YARD, located at Kiryat HaMuseonim on Arlozorov Street in Petah Tikva. It's a wine boutique surrounded by a lovely green park, offering visitors another opportunity to enjoy Jerusalem wines in a relaxed setting. Both locations operate Sunday through Friday, with weekday evening happy-hour offerings. Of course, it's always a good idea to check their hours and tasting arrangements before heading over. ## And Something New Is Brewing Near Machane Yehuda! Before leaving, I also had the pleasure of meeting Carmit Ehrenreich, who is very involved with the winery. And she shared a little surprise. There are plans underway for a new culinary wine destination near Jerusalem's famous Machane Yehuda Market! The idea is to create a place where visitors can enjoy excellent wines from selected wineries, together with a culinary experience, in a brand-new development just outside the shuk. Now, anyone who knows Machane Yehuda knows that the area has become quite the destination for food, nightlife, and culinary adventures. Add a place dedicated to fine wines into the mix? Sounds like another excuse for me to head back to Jerusalem! We'll have to keep an eye on this one. ## Would I Recommend Visiting? Absolutely! But here's what makes this experience different. You don't need to be a serious wine enthusiast to appreciate it. Maybe you're visiting Jerusalem for the first time. Maybe you're staying at a nearby hotel and looking for something different to do. Or maybe, like me, you simply enjoy discovering interesting places with a good story behind them. This place has it all. A historic neighborhood. An iconic windmill. Beautiful views of the Old City. An interesting winery with deep Jerusalem roots. And, of course, plenty of wine to explore. There's something special about sitting in a place where so much Jewish history unfolded, enjoying a glass of wine produced from grapes grown in the hills of our beautiful land. Sir Moses Montefiore built his windmill to help sustain Jerusalem's growing Jewish community. More than a century and a half later, the same windmill is welcoming visitors from around the world to enjoy Israeli wine. I think he'd get a kick out of that! So next time you're in Jerusalem, take a stroll through Mishkenot Sha'ananim, enjoy the views from Bloomfield Garden, and stop by the Montefiore Windmill. And if you're anything like me, you might arrive planning to enjoy the scenery and leave carrying three bottles of wine. L'Chaim! --- Jerusalem Wineries, Montefiore Windmill Visitor Center Mishkenot Sha'ananim, Jerusalem Second location: JERUZ YARD, Arlozorov 30, Petah Tikvah --- ![IMG\_9003](https://kosherwineschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_9003.jpeg?width=321&height=428&name=IMG_9003.jpeg) --- *Kosher Wine School - Exploring the vineyards and wineries of the Holy Land* ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fkosherwineschool.com%2Fa-windmill-a-glass-of-wine-and-150-years-of-jerusalem-history](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fkosherwineschool.com%2Fa-windmill-a-glass-of-wine-and-150-years-of-jerusalem-history) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://kosherwineschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_8205-social-optimized%20Large.jpeg?width=1280&height=960&name=IMG_8205-social-optimized%20Large.jpeg) Kosher Wines From the Shomron Israeli Wines I Went Looking for Honey and Found a Kosher Winery in Kedumim](https://kosherwineschool.com/a-kosher-winery-hidden-in-kedumim-discovering-yekev-bein-haprachim) ### [![](https://kosherwineschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_7909%20Large.jpeg?width=1280&height=960&name=IMG_7909%20Large.jpeg) Israeli Wines Safed Winery: Winemaking in the Mystical City of Tzfat](https://kosherwineschool.com/safed-winery-winemaking-in-the-mystical-city-of-tzfat) [![Kosher Wine School](https://kosherwineschool.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kosher%20Wine%20School.png?width=500&height=500&name=Kosher%20Wine%20School.png "Kosher Wine School")](https://kosherwineschool.com/) - [Products](https://kosherwineschool.com/a-windmill-a-glass-of-wine-and-150-years-of-jerusalem-history#products) - [Services](https://kosherwineschool.com/a-windmill-a-glass-of-wine-and-150-years-of-jerusalem-history#services) - [Blog](https://kosherwineschool.com/a-windmill-a-glass-of-wine-and-150-years-of-jerusalem-history#blog) - [About](https://kosherwineschool.com/a-windmill-a-glass-of-wine-and-150-years-of-jerusalem-history#about) --- Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2026 Kosher Wine School. 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