In 1883, the convent of Cremisan was founded in Palestine by Salesians on ruins of a Byzantine monastery from the 7th century. Its main purpose was to produce wine from local grapes. The convent is located just on the current border between Jerusalem and Beit Jala.

Today, grapes are grown on hillsides between 600 and 930 m altitude, but only 2% the wine production (around 700,000 liters per year) is made from Cremisan's own grapes. The rest comes mainly from Beit Jala, Beit Shemesh, and Hebron area.

Also, a number of theological students from other countries are educated here.