Domaine des Tourelles - Lebanon's First Commercial Winery

Founded 1868, this is Lebanon's first commercial winery. Tour includes vineyard walks, historical equipment museum, cellar visit, and tasting under a magnificent shading tree. Also produces award-winning arak and gin (GinBey).

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Find the Building That Has Not Changed Since 1868 History · Free

   Stand at the cellar doors of Domaine des Tourelles, Chtaura, and do the math: this building was standing before the Eiffel Tower was built. François-Eugène Brun — a French engineer who was supposed to widen a road for the Ottoman Empire — fell so hard for this valley he built a hotel and planted vines instead. The cement fermentation tanks inside are the originals with 150-year dark patina. Walk the exterior grounds at no charge (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat–Sun 9am–6pm).

   Backup: If the winery is between tour groups, staff will often let you step inside the cellar briefly before your official tour slot.

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2. 2 Descend into the Arak Cellar Where Triple Distillation Meets 10-Year Clay Jars Wine · Price: moderate

   Most arak producers do two distillations. Domaine des Tourelles does THREE — triple distillation in artisanal copper alembics inside the 155-year-old cellars (guided tour $10, book at domainedestourelles.com). Then the spirit goes into old Lebanese clay jars to age for 10 years. The guide will take you past rows of clay jars — ask to smell the difference between young arak and the 10-year. Winemaker Faouzi Issa left CHÂTEAU MARGAUX to make arak in clay jars here.

   Backup: If fully booked, the shop sells Arak Brun Special Reserve 10 Years — you can taste the result without the tour.

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3. 3 Taste the Wine Made from Vines the Phoenicians Left Behind Wine · Price: moderate

   The Merwah Skin orange wine is made from an indigenous Lebanese grape — DNA analysis suggests Merwah traces its lineage directly to the Phoenicians. During the tasting under the enormous walnut tree (included in $10 tour), ask for the Merwah by name. Faouzi ferments it in 19th-century clay amphoras, skin contact for 7 days, indigenous yeasts only. You are drinking wine made the way Phoenicians would have — from 150-year-old native vines, aged in the same material they used to ship wine to Egypt 2,700 years ago.

   Backup: If the Merwah is unavailable, the Marquis des Beys red alone justifies the visit — Wine Alchemy's Wine of the Year 2020.

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4. 4 Request the Arak Brun 10-Year — The Spirit That Outlasted a Civil War Adventure · Price: low · Optional

   Arak Brun has been produced continuously at this winery since 1868 — through two World Wars, Lebanon's 15-year civil war, the 2020 Beirut port explosion. At the shop after the tour, ask for 'Arak Brun Special Reserve Dix Ans' (10 years) — triple distillation in copper alembics, then 10 years in Lebanese clay jars at 53% ABV. To drink it properly: serve in a short glass, add cold water until it turns milky white, then ice. The ratio is roughly 1 part arak to 2 parts water.

   Backup: If the 10-year is sold out, the 5-year Special Reserve shows the same clay-jar character at a younger stage.

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Insider tips

• Don't miss the Merweh & Obeidi Vieilles Vignes - made from indigenous grapes

• Restaurant planned to open 2025

• Phone: +961-8-540114