Château Kefraya: A Lebanese Winemaking Legacy

Château Kefraya, a family-owned winery in the West Bekaa Valley, has been producing wine since 1979, carrying on Lebanon's ancient winemaking traditions. The Bustros family's château, built in 1946, sits atop a man-made hill constructed by the Romans for strategic vantage points. Michel de Bustros planted the first vines in 1951, and despite challenges like the Lebanese Civil War, the winery has thrived, blending heritage with modern techniques.A visit to Château Kefraya offers a multifaceted experience. Guided tours, often conducted via a charming train, take visitors through the vineyards, passing Roman ruins en route to panoramic observation points. The tour includes the winery and the Alembic room, where the estate produces arak, a traditional Lebanese spirit. The estate's parks and gardens provide a tranquil haven with olive, cypress, pine, and cedar trees interspersed among the vines. The on-site restaurant, Le Relais de Dionysos, offers delicious local dishes and rare vintages, complemented by stunning views of the vineyards and mountains.Château Kefraya plays a significant role in Lebanon's wine industry, with its wines gaining international recognition. The vineyard spans 500 hectares on the terraced slopes of Mount Barouk, benefiting from the unique terroir created by the Yammouneh tectonic rift. This geological feature contributes to the diverse soils, allowing for the cultivation of various grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Carménère, and indigenous Lebanese grapes like Obeidi, Merwah, Assouad Karech and Asmi Noir. The winery combines ancient practices, such as using clay amphorae, with state-of-the-art processes like berry selection on optical sorting tables.