Overview
Mount Lebanon rises along the country's western edge, separating the narrow coastal plain from the Bekaa Valley. Vineyards are scattered across the Metn, Aley, and Keserwan districts at elevations from around 800 meters to well over 1,500 meters, where cooling sea breezes and milder winters moderate the growing season.
Production is far smaller than in the Bekaa, but estates such as Château Cana, Domaine de Baal, and Château Fakra have earned attention for refined Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, as well as fresh white blends. The region's proximity to Beirut also makes it an emerging destination for wine tourism and boutique winemaking.
Key Varietals
- Cabernet SauvignonA structured red that expresses the freshness and elegance of Mount Lebanon's cooler mountain sites.
- MerlotA plummy, approachable red that performs well on the limestone and gravel slopes above the coast.
- SyrahA spicy red that benefits from the region's maritime breezes and well-drained rocky soils.
- ChardonnayA white variety that ripens slowly at altitude, giving citrus and stone-fruit wines with bright acidity.
Region snapshot
Climate
Mild Mediterranean with cooling sea breezes
Rainfall
1,000-1,400mm annually
Soil Types
Limestone, gravel, and rocky mountain soils