Montefiore Winery
Country: Israel
Wine Maker(s): Sam Soroka
KEREM MONTEFIORE
Kerem Montefiore is a small boutique winery, founded to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Mishkenot Sha’ananim by Sir Moses Montefiore. This was the first neighborhood built outside the Old City Walls of Jerusalem and it was to become the cornerstone of modern Jerusalem. When the land was originally purchased by Moses Montefiore in 1855, it was known as ‘Kerem Moshe Montefiorev’ Yehudit’ - Moses and Judith Montefiore’s Vineyard. The area was later divided into two neighborhoods, Mishkenot Sha’ananim and Yemin Moshe.
SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE
The founding of the winery celebrates the person, the place and the vision. Sir Moses Montefiore was a ground breaking humanitarian, a philanthropist and a campaigner for Jewish emancipation. He was born in Tuscany, but lived in England. Arguably the most famous Jew of the 19th century, he did much to develop the idea of a world Jewish community and he placed Israel at its heart. Montefiore was a fervent advocate of agriculture and he bought the firstland for this purpose. He encouraged the planting of vines & olive trees. Moses Montefiore was also a wine connoisseur, drinking a bottle of wine every day.
THE MONTEFIORE FAMILY
The family originated from the small Italian hill town of Montefiore Conca. Earliest records from the 15th century confirm that the family lived in the Romagna/ Marche regions of Italy. They then moved to Livorno and latersettled in England.
The first Israeli Montefiores, David and Rachel, are founding partners of the new winery. Both are in the wine trade following in the footsteps of their father, Adam Montefiore, a wine industry veteran who has contributed much to the development of Israeli wines. They are direct descendants of Sir Moses’ heir, Sir Joseph Sebag Montefiore and the first members of the Montefiore family ever to make aliyah to Israel.
Kerem Montefiore Winery reflects the journey of the Montefiore family. It brings together the passion of Italy, the grandeur of England and the pride of Israel. The winery combines Moses Montefiore’s agricultural vision and his love of wine. The roots of Israeli wine are interwoven with the successful Israeli wine industry that exists today and the Montefiore family that is an integral part both of the story of Israel and the wine of Israel.
