Château Héritage

The story of Château Héritage begins in 1888 when the Touma family established one of Lebanon's first wineries and distilleries in the small town of Kab-Elias, nestled in the heart of the Bekaa Valley. Back then, the family focused primarily on producing Arak Touma, the national Lebanese spirit that remains beloved to this day. It wasn't until 1997 that the family released their first modern table wines under the Château Héritage label, marking a new chapter in a winemaking tradition that now spans four generations. The estate sits at 1000 meters above the Mediterranean Sea, where 64 hectares of vineyards spread across the Bekaa Valley's distinctive terroirs. The soils here are a mix of limestone and clay, which give the wines their unique character. The valley's geography is special, protected by Mount Lebanon to the west and the Syrian mountains to the east, creating ideal conditions for viticulture. The dramatic diurnal temperature swings between hot summer days and cool nights help the grapes develop complexity and balance. The winery itself occupies a renovated historical school building from 1927, adding charm and history to every visit. ## The Touma Family Vision Today, Château Héritage is run by Elias Tanios Touma and his three sons, Dargham, Wissam, and Houssam. Dargham brings serious credentials to the cellar with a PhD in Food Sciences and a background in chemical engineering and oenology, all studied in the United States. His brothers contribute their own expertise, with Wissam holding a doctorate in civil engineering. But what really drives this family is their philosophy of blending old and new. They preserve winemaking secrets passed down through three generations while embracing modern technology to craft wines that truly express Lebanese terroir. The winemaking approach at Château Héritage is hands-on and thoughtful. They use open-tank fermentation, a tricky technique to master but essential for achieving the intensity their wines are known for. The focus is on red wines meant for aging, with an average vine age of 15 to 20 years providing depth and concentration. Every decision in the vineyard and cellar reflects their commitment to quality and their fierce passion for what they do. Visitors often leave charmed by the family's warmth and dedication, especially those who stay at their 12-bedroom bed and breakfast just a short walk through the village. ## The Wine Range Château Héritage produces white, rosé, and red wines, with Cabernet Sauvignon serving as the backbone of their red portfolio. This grape thrives in the Bekaa Valley, and when blended with Syrah, it creates their flagship Family Reserve, a rich and expressive wine that was their first release back in 1997. Cinsault, one of Lebanon's oldest cultivated varieties, adds softness and fruit to many of their blends. The Nine cuvée is particularly special, bringing together all nine red grape varieties grown on the estate in an unoaked, medium-bodied wine with spicy plum and cherry notes. The white wines showcase Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay, and Muscat in various blends. But perhaps the most intriguing offering is Vinoix, a fortified dessert wine made from Muscat that's macerated with crushed green walnuts for six months before being fortified to 20% alcohol. This secret family recipe works beautifully as either an aperitif or digestif. From entry-level offerings to premium reserves, every bottle reflects the Touma family's dedication to creating wines that are unmistakably Lebanese.