Bekaa Valley

Overview

The Bekaa Valley is Lebanon's most important wine region, producing over 90% of the country's wine from a high-altitude plateau between the Mount Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ranges. Vineyards sit mostly between 900 and 1,200 meters above sea level, where hot, sunny days give way to cool nights with temperature swings of 15°C or more.

The region's modern industry dates to 1857, when Jesuit monks planted French vines at what became Château Ksara. Today historic estates such as Château Musar, Domaine Wardy, and Massaya work alongside newer producers, crafting red blends from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cinsault, as well as distinctive whites from Obeideh, Merwah, and international varieties.

Key Varietals

• Cabernet SauvignonA structured red that builds cassis and blackcurrant depth on the Bekaa's limestone-clay terraces.
• MerlotA supple, rounded red that softens blends with plum and cherry fruit at high altitude.
• SyrahA dark, spicy red that thrives in warm days and cool nights, yielding peppery, concentrated wines.
• CinsaultAn early French import that remains a Bekaa signature, producing silky, red-fruit driven wines.