Vineyards to Visit In Lebanon
This small country that can fit inside Connecticut is ripe with more than 50 wineries. The country has been making wine, since the times of Phoenicians, so they are no stranger to the fermented grape juice. However, over recent decades, they’ve had plenty of France influence in the winemaking. You should try to fit in a few wineries if you’re visiting to get a feel for the varied areas, varietals and types of wineries. For a great overview of wine, check out SevenFifty’s piece here.
I highly recommend you get a driver and tackle a few in the same area. The roads and drivers make it very dicey to do it alone!
Chateau Musar - This is the most well-known to oenophiles and their success has put Lebanon on the map. You should make a point to visit here and others in the Bekaa Valley.
Domaine des Tourelles - A family-owned place that I love to stop by when I’m in the Bekaa Valley. The tour is really nice, ending in the garden area with the tasting. They have these chocolate liquor shooters that are always fun and delicious.
Château Kefraya - Hop on the wine tractor, literally. You can ride around the vineyards, check out some old caves, see their beautiful roses, and then spend the rest of the time in their tasting room or dining in their restaurant. It’s one of the few that has food on site, so plan accordingly.
Château Saint Thomas - It’s a perfect spot to get really into the wine-making underground - and cool off on a summer day. They also have my favorite 100% Lebanese varietal Obeidy and powerhouse female winemakers.
Ixsir - This place is a gorgeous spot to spend an afternoon out in their wine garden. It’s very Instagrammable, and the winery has my favorite rosé. Make sure to hit this spot and the next winery - plan ahead to give each their due time.
Sept - Owned by a couple who have a passion for unique wines like orange wine. The two love a dining setup so definitely book ahead and make a whole day of it! The view up in the mountains is incredible. When I drive up to this area, outside of Batroun, it feel like small villages in Greece.
Mersel - I’ve had their wine at a favorite local cafe Beyt. The winemaker came to Philly the other week, so we got a chance to chat and add him into the upcoming itinerary. He focuses on local wine making practices and varietals. I love his Pet Nats, which has dubbed Leb Nats. Love it!
Massaya - Up in the hills of Faqra, which is known for it’s party scene and après ski, this beautiful winery overlooks lesser known but cool, ancient Roman Ruins. You can take a nice winery tour, wine tasting and dining setup on the terrace to make a whole afternoon of it. We certainly did. Highly recommend and love their rosé as well. The winemaker was in Philly this past fall for a tasting at Fitler so my friends from Lebanon came who happened to be in town — small world.
Keep following me for more wine-fueled posts or join me in Lebanon in September. We’re hosting a Philly gathering here at an awesome wine bar that carries Lebanese wine and arak, including Mersel wines! Look out for some in stores near you and ask the shop. It might help get more distributed in the US.
