Château Khoury, Bekaa Valley Travel Guide

Château Khoury is a family-run vineyard established in 1995 by Raymond and Brigitte El Khoury, fueled by their passion for wine. The first vines were planted on land that had been abandoned after the Lebanese civil war. The vineyard is located 1,300 meters above sea level in the eastern foothills of Mount Lebanon. This high altitude gives the vines exceptional exposure while maintaining the aridity of the plain in summer.The winery was constructed in 2002, with the first vinification in 2004. Raymond and Brigitte's son, Jean-Paul, studied oenology and brought his expertise from French vineyards back to the family business. Château Khoury's philosophy is to produce high-quality wines that reflect the characteristics of the Lebanese climate and the particular terroir of the estate. The buildings are built of cut stone, respecting the traditional Lebanese style and blending into the landscape.Lebanon has a rich and complex wine history. During the Phoenician era, the Lebanese were masters of the wine trade in the Mediterranean region. The Romans honored the wine god Bacchus by erecting temples, and the remains of one of the most famous temples can still be seen in Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley. Even Christendom testifies to the reputation of Lebanese wine, as it was at a wedding reception in Canaa, south Lebanon, that Jesus turned water into wine.