Family Winery Near Jerusalem Offers Gourmet Cuisine and Historic Charm
Located just minutes from one of Israel's busiest roads leading to Jerusalem, a hidden gem awaits visitors seeking fine dining and historical sites. The journey begins at Beit Yellin, the first house built in Motza in 1890, symbolizing the start of agricultural settlement in the Land of Israel. Visitors can tour the modest visitor center and watch a short film to understand the origins of the café Aloro's extensive menu, which features a variety of exquisite pastries and salads, including a memorable green tower salad with fresh leaves and toasted almonds.
A short drive leads to the Yvel jewelry brand visitor center, founded 40 years ago by Orna and Itzik Levi in Jerusalem. The brand gained international success by incorporating imperfect pearls into their designs, a bold move that set them apart. Itzik Levi, an immigrant from Argentina, also established a jewelry school for new immigrants and a social enterprise offering Ethiopian immigrants vocational training. The tour concludes at an old stone winery, once the Efrat Winery, now a hospitality venue.
Next is Beit Halutzi HaOr, a historic neo-classical building from the 1920s originally serving as the Arza convalescent home. Named after the cedar tree planted by Theodor Herzl, it ceased functioning as a convalescent home in the 1990s and was transformed after October 7 into a therapy and mental wellness center. The center honors fallen soldiers and continues to thrive with music, creativity, and community activities.
The day ends at Pelam Winery in the Judean Hills, founded by brothers Golan and Gilad with the support of their father Israel Pelam, former chief winemaker at Carmel Wineries, and their mother who inspired the winery's white blend named Camellia. Guests enjoy carefully selected wines paired with local cheeses, olive oil, and sourdough bread, each glass telling a story of the region's terroir.
This itinerary offers a unique blend of culinary excellence, cultural heritage, and scenic beauty just outside Jerusalem, inviting visitors to explore and savor the region's rich history and flavors.
