Wine and Mediterranean trade
Phoenician communities cultivated vines and traded wine across the eastern Mediterranean, helping establish Lebanon's early reputation as a wine-producing culture.
Wine Country Guide
Lebanon
Ancient wine heritage, high-altitude vineyards and Mediterranean mountain character.
Discover the country
Lebanon has one of the oldest continuous wine cultures in the world, with a history stretching back thousands of years. Today, its modern wine industry is centred on the Bekaa Valley, where high-altitude vineyards, intense sunlight and cool nights create wines with both ripeness and freshness. French influence remains important, but Lebanese producers have developed a distinctive identity through Mediterranean grape varieties, mountain terroir and a long tradition of blending.
01
The story
Wine History
Lebanon's wine history reaches back to the Phoenicians, who traded wine throughout the Mediterranean. The Roman period further entrenched viticulture, most famously around Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley. Modern commercial winemaking took shape in the 19th century, particularly with the establishment of Château Ksara in 1857. French influence during the 20th century brought Bordeaux and Rhône grape varieties and cellar techniques, while a new generation of Lebanese estates has since expanded the country's regional and stylistic diversity.
Viticulture under Roman rule
Wine production expanded during the Roman period, particularly in the Bekaa Valley, where Baalbek became an important regional centre.
Modern commercial winemaking
Château Ksara was founded in the Bekaa Valley, becoming one of the foundations of Lebanon's modern wine industry.
Modern Lebanese wine identity
French grape varieties and techniques became established, while Lebanese producers increasingly focused on altitude, old vines, indigenous grapes and distinctive regional expression.
02
The landscape
Geography & Wine Regions
Lebanon is a narrow Mediterranean country defined by two mountain ranges separated by the Bekaa Valley. Most established vineyards lie at elevation, particularly in the Bekaa, where sites commonly sit around 900 to 1,200 metres above sea level. These high-altitude conditions allow grapes to ripen under intense sunlight while retaining acidity through cool nights. Vineyard development has also expanded into Mount Lebanon, Batroun in the north and Jezzine in the south.
Bekaa Valley
Lebanon's historic and most important wine region, situated between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges. High elevation, dry summers and cool nights favour structured reds and fresh whites.
West Bekaa
A major vineyard zone within the Bekaa Valley, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, Chardonnay and complex red blends.
Zahlé
A historic wine centre on the eastern edge of the Bekaa Valley and closely associated with several of Lebanon's longstanding producers.
Batroun
A northern coastal and hillside region where vineyards benefit from Mediterranean influence and varied elevations.
Mount Lebanon
Mountain vineyards with cooler conditions, steep slopes and increasing interest in small-scale, site-specific production.
Jezzine
A southern highland region where elevation and cooler nights provide favourable conditions for modern viticulture.
03
Growing conditions
Climate & Viticulture
Lebanon combines Mediterranean sunshine with strong altitude effects. The Bekaa Valley is dry and sunny during the growing season, while high elevation creates substantial day-night temperature differences that help preserve acidity and aromatic freshness.
Climate
Mediterranean with high-altitude continental influence
Altitude
Many important vineyards lie approximately 900–1,200 metres above sea level, with some sites outside the Bekaa reaching higher elevations
Rainfall
Most rainfall occurs during winter, while summers are generally dry
Key influences
Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon Mountains, Anti-Lebanon Mountains, altitude and strong diurnal temperature variation
Viticultural challenges
Summer heat, drought, water availability, frost at higher elevations and maintaining vineyard operations during periods of political instability
04
In the vineyard
Key Grape Varieties
Native varieties
Obaideh
A Lebanese white grape traditionally associated with arak production and increasingly used for dry wine, often showing citrus, orchard fruit and herbal character.
Merwah
An old Lebanese white variety found particularly in mountain vineyards, producing fresh wines with citrus, herbal and mineral notes.
International varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon
A major component of premium Lebanese red blends, providing black fruit, tannin and ageing potential.
Syrah
Well suited to Lebanon's sunny, elevated vineyards, producing dark fruit, pepper, spice and savoury depth.
Cinsault
Historically important in Lebanon and valued for fragrance, red fruit and freshness, particularly in traditional blends.
Carignan
Long established in Lebanon, often from older vines, producing savoury, structured wines with dark fruit, spice and lively acidity.
Merlot
Frequently used in Bordeaux-inspired blends, contributing plum fruit and a softer texture.
Mourvèdre
Used in Mediterranean-style blends, adding structure, spice and savoury complexity.
Chardonnay
Produces both fresh and oak-aged whites, with richer examples showing texture, citrus, orchard fruit and toast.
Sauvignon Blanc
Used in fresh white blends and varietal wines, contributing citrus, herbal character and acidity.
05
In the glass
Principal Wine Styles
Lebanese wine combines Mediterranean ripeness with the freshness provided by altitude. Red blends remain central to the country's identity, while old-vine Mediterranean grapes and increasingly ambitious white wines add substantial stylistic breadth.
Bordeaux-Style Red Blends
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are often combined with other varieties to produce structured, age-worthy reds with black fruit, cedar and spice.
Mediterranean Red Blends
Carignan, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre produce savoury, spicy wines with ripe fruit and freshness.
Old-Vine Carignan
Older Carignan vineyards can produce concentrated yet vibrant wines with dark berries, herbs, spice and firm acidity.
Syrah
Typically rich and dark-fruited, with pepper, spice and a distinctly Mediterranean savoury character.
Oak-Aged Chardonnay
Richer Lebanese Chardonnay can combine ripe citrus and orchard fruit with oak-derived toast, vanilla and creamy texture.
White Blends
Blends of varieties such as Clairette, Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc produce fresh, aromatic Mediterranean whites.
Dry Rosé
Often based on Cinsault, Syrah or Mediterranean blends, with bright red fruit, freshness and good food-pairing versatility.
06
Reference
Famous Wines & Appellations
Bekaa Valley Red Blends
Old-Vine Carignan
Lebanese Cinsault
Lebanese Syrah
Cabernet Sauvignon Blends
Oak-Aged Chardonnay
Mediterranean White Blends
Lebanese Rosé
07
vino.sg portfolio
Producers We Work With
Château Ksara
08
Understanding the label
Wine Classification
Lebanon does not currently use a nationwide appellation system comparable to France's AOC or Austria's DAC structure. Wine identity is therefore communicated primarily through producer, vineyard, regional origin and grape variety.
01
Country Origin
Wine produced from grapes grown and vinified in Lebanon.
02
Regional Origin
Producers commonly identify areas such as the Bekaa Valley, Batroun or Mount Lebanon to communicate geographic origin.
03
Varietal Wine
Single-variety wines such as Carignan, Chardonnay or Syrah increasingly highlight grape identity alongside regional origin.
04
Estate and Cuvée Wines
Premium wines are frequently defined by estate, vineyard selection, blend and maturation rather than a formal appellation hierarchy.
09
At the table
Food & Wine Culture
Lebanese cuisine is naturally suited to wine, combining grilled meats, vegetables, herbs, olive oil, citrus and spice. Fresh whites complement mezze and seafood, Cinsault and Carignan work well with grilled dishes, while structured Cabernet- and Syrah-based reds suit lamb, kofta and richer meat dishes.
Traditional pairings
Mezze Hummus Baba ghanoush Tabbouleh Grilled lamb Kofta Shawarma Grilled chicken Seafood Aged cheeseThe essential character
What Defines the Wines of Lebanon
Lebanese wine is defined by the combination of ancient wine culture, Mediterranean sunshine and high-altitude vineyards. The Bekaa Valley remains its historic heart, producing wines with ripe fruit and structure but also notable freshness, while old Mediterranean varieties and mountain vineyards give Lebanese wine a distinctive identity beyond its French influence.
Explore the collection
Wines from Lebanon
7
wines
in this collection
Château Ksara
Château Ksara Carignan 2020 | Lebanese Red Wine | Singapore
$84.00
Château Ksara
Château Ksara Chardonnay Cuvée du Pape 2019 White Wine | Lebanon
$88.00
Château Ksara
Château Ksara Blanc de l'Observatoire 2021 White Wine | Lebanon
$67.00
Château Ksara
Château Ksara Le Souverain 2015 | Lebanese Red Wine | Singapore
$175.00
Château Ksara
Château Ksara Cuvée du Troisième Millénaire 2018 | Lebanese Red Wine | Singapore
$118.00
Château Ksara
Château Ksara Le Prieuré 2019 Red Wine | Lebanon
$67.00
Château Ksara
Château Ksara Château Rouge 2018 | Lebanese Red Wine | Singapore
$69.00Continue your journey
Explore Lebanese Wine
Discover Lebanon through Château Ksara, from old-vine Carignan and traditional Mediterranean blends to structured reds, aromatic whites and oak-aged Chardonnay.
View All 7 Wines