Winter in Mateh Yehuda begins with a feeling. After December’s rains, the air is cool and clear, the skies gradually open, and the landscape changes quickly. Driving eastward, along the green roads of the Judean hills, emphasizes how deep and rich the greenery is in this season. This is the time when the mountains are covered with a dense layer of green, the air carries the scent of wet earth and pine, and the entire area enters a calm winter rhythm. The local patisseries complete the picture, with aromas reminiscent of distant European streets.
IshLechem Bakery in Moshav Ta’oz
As is tradition in Mateh Yehuda, we began this visit with a good coffee and a pastry to warm the stomach before heading out for a tour. The Yehuda wine region is full of bakeries and patisseries, and one of the most notable is IshLechem Bakery, run by Eyal Tamir in Moshav Ta’oz, near Beit Shemesh. Tamir bakes handmade sourdough breads here, without yeast, food coloring, or artificial additives. Only flour, water, salt, and sourdough. His approach is simple and clear: “If it’s bread I wouldn’t buy, it won’t be sold in the bakery.”
The bakery is located on Farm 31, in a former abandoned chicken coop that Eyal renovated and turned into a small community hub. The place features an open seating area with a view of the Ayalon Valley, wooden tables, and a relaxed atmosphere. People come here with laptops to work, in sportswear after a run, or simply for a good coffee and a warm croissant with plenty of butter. The menu also includes sandwiches with cheeses from a local creamery, focaccias, baguettes, and sweet pastries. On weekdays (Sunday–Friday) from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the place becomes a regular meeting point - simple, tasty, and authentic. On Fridays, it is highly recommended to arrive early. Very early.
Forest Shower in Masrek Nature Reserve
From there, we continued to Masrek Nature Reserve, near Moshav Beit Meir, in the early morning hours. The parking is at the foot of the reserve, from where a marked trail leads straight into the woodland. The name “Masrek” (comb) was given by members of the Palmach training group, who observed the pine trees on the ridge and saw a resemblance to a hair comb.
The trail is only one kilometer long - a light circular route that passes through a dense natural woodland, with trees creating almost continuous shade. In December and January, after the rains, the greenery stands out and the ground is moist and wet. From the marked viewpoints, there is a wide view of the Shephelah, and in a forest clearing stands an ancient structure from the Arab village of Beit Mahsir, which was located here in the past.
During the War of Independence, the site served as “Outpost 17,” one of the ridges controlling the road to Jerusalem due to its strategic location. Fighters from the Harel Brigade captured it during Operation Maccabi, and the site’s sign details the tough battles that took place here. This is the place that Haim Guri referred to in his famous poem “Baab el-Wad” about Sha’ar Hagai. The walk lasts about an hour, with a complete sense of escape from the daily routine.
Masrek Nature Reserve: From Route 1, before entering Moshav Beit Meir, turn right according to the signs. The trail is circular, 1 km long, easy, about an hour’s walk. Suitable for all seasons. Free, no restrictions.
Have you ever made gin yourself?
After the walk in the reserve, we continued to Tavlin Distillery, located in the historic Srigim Brewery in the Wet Industrial Zone. The facility is active, producing gin and various spirits. At the entrance, the aromas of herbs and distilled alcohol are immediately noticeable.
The distillery offers a gin distillation workshop. Participants learn about the process, taste leading gin varieties from around the world and Israel, and create a personal bottle. You can choose herbs, citrus peels, black pepper, juniper leaves, fennel, pink pepper, and coriander seeds to build a unique combination. The process takes place beside copper distillation equipment, and at the end, each participant receives a 200 ml bottle. The workshop lasts between 1.5 to 3 hours and is suitable for groups of 4 to 15 participants.
In the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, there is also the Yehuda wine region - the only wine region in Israel covering approximately 520,000 dunams and including dozens of leading wineries. On a visit to Mateh Yehuda, it is worth combining a stop at one of the wineries. The ones closest to our route are Castel, Flam, Tzora, Mony, and Kedma. Tavlin Distillery: Srigim Brewery, Har-Tov Industrial Zone. Workshop: 1.5–3 hours, including tasting and creating a 200 ml gin bottle. Groups: 4–15 participants. Cost: NIS 300 per participant, NIS 500 per couple.
ALMOND Hotel
To complete the visit to Mateh Yehuda, you can spend the night at ALMOND, a spacious boutique hotel offering privacy, comfort, and green views. The hotel is located exactly halfway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, in Moshav Neve Ilan, surrounded by green mountainous scenery. This is an adults-only boutique hotel launched in 2024, with 59 spacious rooms sized 33–37 m².
The hotel entrance offers a different design approach: Instead of a gray neutral lobby, here bold colors dominate, with colorful armchairs, designer rugs, and works by Israeli artists. The central idea is “joy and colorful elegance,” which is felt in every corner. On the hotel roof is a heated rooftop pool at 30°C, open year-round, even in winter. In addition, ALMOND Spa operates in the hotel, including treatment rooms, sauna, hammam, and ice shower. Beyond the facilities, the hotel offers activities such as cheese and wine workshops, lectures, Pilates and yoga classes, as well as musical evenings. ALMOND Hotel, Moshav Neve Ilan. Spa, rooftop pool, restaurant.
Dining with a View
Although the abundance of wineries and culinary activities in the area invites visits, options for quality restaurants are limited. The hotel restaurant, The View, is one of them, offering a rich culinary experience alongside a mountainous panorama. The View features open views of the Jerusalem hills through large windows. The menu is dairy-based, using local produce and changes throughout the day.
Breakfast includes a rich buffet and à la carte dishes, such as shakshuka with seasoned eggs and tomatoes, omelets, and various toasts. At lunchtime, the restaurant operates as a lounge buffet with coffee, tea, wine, and light snacks, all included in the price. In the evening, seasonal dishes are served, such as winter pumpkin soup with coconut cream, sea bream fillet with roasted root vegetables, and fresh pasta.
On the restaurant terrace, fire tables are set, allowing outdoor seating even on chilly winter evenings, while inside a fireplace adds warmth and atmosphere. The place is suitable for a romantic dinner or a relaxed breakfast with a view - perfect for this time of year.
Clay Workshop at Mooshipottery Studio
Mateh Yehuda offers many experiences: Nature reserves, wineries, distilleries, and even art workshops. Among the impressive options is the studio gallery of Michal Hovav Abramsky, in Moshav Neve Ilan. Michal, a Jerusalemite from the historic Hovav family, worked for 17 years as a project manager at Intel before leaving high-tech to dedicate herself to ceramics. “I’ve been playing with clay for as long as I can remember,” she says. “I sat at the wheel at 18 and fell completely in love.” She absorbed sculpture and art from her mother-in-law, the late sculptor Henya Abramsky.
The studio serves as both a gallery and a learning space. The shelves display functional and decorative pieces, all glazed with her own recipes and fired at 1,220°C. Some collections are also available in the Israel Museum shops. The studio also hosts a 2.5-hour workshop, including an overview of ceramics and archaeology in Israel, explanation of the process from raw material to finished piece, and a demonstration on the wheel. Participants create their own ceramic piece, which can be collected after about two weeks. The workshop is suitable for groups of 2–15 participants, ages 7 and up.
Additionally, there is the option of a short 50-minute artist meeting with a demonstration, or an annual course for those who want to deepen their skills. Mooshipottery Studio: Neve Ilan, on Route 1. Ceramics workshops: 2.5 hours, 2–15 participants, NIS 270 per person. Artist meeting: 50 minutes, NIS 20 per person. Annual courses available.
Sometimes all you need is 24 hours of disconnection - a little green, a bit of culinary experience, some art and nature. Mateh Yehuda proves that even here, in our country, there is a region offering plenty of small and fun discoveries, where you can walk, taste, experiment, and relax - and escape the routine without traveling far.