Château Kefraya - Mountain Terroir Tasting

Lebanon's second-largest winery spanning 120 hectares of vineyards. Tour the historic cellars and arak distillery, then dine at Le Relais Dionysos restaurant with panoramic vineyard views. Open daily 10 AM - 6 PM.

What to do there

5 things to do

1. 1 Ride Past 3rd-Century Roman Tombs into the Vineyard History · Price: low

   Here's what nobody tells you before you board the tractor-pulled trailer at Château Kefraya (~$6.50/person) — this vineyard was built on top of an artificial hill the Romans constructed in the 3rd century AD. Board at l'Allée du Château, the tree-lined driveway leading up from the car park. Along the way you'll pass actual 1,700-year-old Roman burial chambers between the Cabernet Sauvignon rows. Sit on the right side for the best views of Mount Barouk.

   Backup: If the train isn't running, ask staff for the walking vineyard path — it covers the same ground on foot in about 45 minutes.

   Log Memory
2. 2 Watch Lebanon's National Spirit Born in the Alembic Room Adventure · Free

   Since the 11th century, the people of Kefraya village have been making Arak in this valley. The Alembic Room (inside the main winery building, accessed on the cellar tour) houses copper pot stills where Château Kefraya's version is distilled four times — most spirits are distilled twice. In the final two distillations, they add Syrian aniseed. Ask the guide to explain why four passes instead of two, and what Syrian aniseed does to the final spirit.

   Backup: Even if the Alembic Room is closed for maintenance, staff can usually arrange a brief look from the doorway and explain the process.

   Log Memory
3. 3 Taste the Wine a Civil War Couldn't Stop Wine · Price: moderate

   In 1979, Lebanon was four years into a civil war that would run another eleven years. Michel de Bustros pressed his first grapes and made his first wine anyway in the Treasure Room — the deepest point of the 1,000-barrel cellar. Ask to see the Comte de M: a Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah blend from 1,100 meters, named for Michel himself, with Phoenician ancestors on the label. Robert Parker gave recent vintages 91–93 points. A full tasting costs approximately $20–40.

   Backup: If the full tasting package isn't available, the boutique always has the complete range and you can taste before you buy.

   Log Memory
4. 4 Stand on the Fault Line Where Phoenician Wine Began Adventure · Free

   You are standing directly above the Yammouneh tectonic fault at the observation point (far end of the vineyard, reached by train or walking path) — the same rift system that stretches through the Dead Sea into East Africa. Beneath your feet: clay-limestone forming when dinosaurs existed. On the slope: 300 hectares of terraced vines at impossibly high altitude. Arrive at golden hour (4–5pm) when the Bekaa Valley light hits the limestone terraces — the closest you'll get to understanding why Phoenician merchants loaded ships with wine from this valley 4,000 years ago.

   Backup: The view is accessible from the train OR the walking path. If you only have 30 minutes, skip lunch and spend it here.

   Log Memory
5. 5 Breakfast in the Vines: The Vigneron's Harvest Table Wine · Price: low · Optional

   During harvest season (late August through October), Le Relais Dionysos restaurant serves 'Le Petit Déjeuner du Vigneron' — the vigneron's breakfast — from 9 to 11am. This is what harvest workers eat: freshly made labneh, aged local cheeses, vegetables from the estate garden, eggs cooked in terracotta pots. You'll eat it looking at the vines, at harvest elevation, with morning mist still burning off Mount Barouk. Arrive by 9:30am to get the full spread before it sells out.

   Backup: Outside harvest season, the regular lunch buffet serves Lebanese-French fusion with the estate wine list at friendly prices.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• Book tastings in advance during peak season (spring/fall)

• Walk through the vineyards past Roman ruins before descending to the cellars

• The harvest celebration in September offers special events