The Montefiore Winery has launched a new olive oil. Olive oil connects Moses Montefiore’s roots in Tuscany, where he was born, to the original 'Kerem Moshe' in Jerusalem, which was covered in old, gnarled olive trees. 'Kerem Moshe' was the name Moses Montefiore gave to the plot of land he purchased outside the Old City Walls of Jerusalem. The word 'Kerem' means vineyard, but in Hebrew it can be used to describe a vineyard or olive grove. Kerem Moshe was later divided and renamed Mishkenot Sha'ananim and Yemin Moshe.
The Montefiore Extra Virgin Olive Oil is mainly made from Souri olives, balanced with a little Nabali. These indigenous varieties are grown in ancient olive groves in the Jerusalem Hills, which are home to some of the oldest olive trees in Israel, dating back hundreds of years.
The Souri variety is believed to have originated in Sur (Tyre) in Lebanon. It is a small, green, oval olive and is thought to be one of the oldest varieties in the world. It is known for producing aromatic, even fiery olive oils with great character. The Nabali originated in Nablus. It is a larger olive and milder in character.
The Montefiore Olive Oil, extra virgin and cold pressed, is extremely high quality with the spiciness of the Eastern Mediterranean. It is very aromatic, piquant, slightly peppery, with a green character and touch of honey on the finish. It comes in a regular 750 ml. wine bottle with a cork. It will be sold in a gift box with a pourer. The olive oil is Kosher and carries the 'Israeli Olive Oil' sticker given by The Olive Board.
The Montefiore Olive Oil is at its best when used simply. It is perfect for cooking grilled fish with a few fresh herbs, for pouring on carpaccio, enhancing focaccia or for drizzling onto Israeli salads with lemon juice and parsley.
Montefiore Winery was founded in 2010 to celebrate the 150 year anniversary of Mishkenot Sha'ananim, which was to become the cornerstone of modern Jerusalem. It is owned by Arnon Geva, ex joint founder of Castel, and Rachel & David Montefiore, the first Israeli Montefiores. The wines
were first released in 2013.
There are two innovative, unoaked entry level blends, three oak aged reserve varietal wines and a prestige blend. The flagship wine is called
Kerem Moshe. The wines are made in the new Israeli Mediterranean style: medium bodied and elegant, fruit forward with good acidity and a refreshing, well balanced finish.
The Ancient Israelites, Tuscany and Mishkenot Sha'ananim have something in common. In Biblical times the staple diet was bread, wine and olive oil. This is certainly true of Tuscany today. With the introduction of this new olive oil, the same may now also be said of Mishkenot Sha'ananim! The Montefiore Windmill is again grinding flour and the Montefiore Winery is making wine and now olive oil. So now bread, wine and olive oil may be used to celebrate the importance of Mishkenot Sha'anamim in the history of modern Jerusalem.
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