Weingut Chateau Ksara aus dem Libanon

1857 the Jesuit mission inherited 25 hectare of land in the north of the Bekaa Valley, situated between Tanaïl and Zahlé. Father Kirn recognized the great potential for viticulture and motovated the monks to plant vines. They named the monastery after the ancient fortress "Ksara" from the Crusaders. At first, they produced sweet Mess wines from Algerian Cinsault vines. The expansion of the estate took place in 1863, when the Turks murderd two Jesuit priests. The Ottoman governor then offered to make amends by giving them more land for more vines. And since 1887 Ksara has been an independent part of the nearby Tabauk monastery.
Winery Chateau Ksara from Lebanon
The wine cellar of Ksara is sensational and always was one of lebaons major attractions for touriests. The origins of their cellar go back to a natural grotto, which was built and used by the Romans. Only in 1906 the cave was rediscovered my an incident where some hunting dogs followed a fox into a ground. Over a hundred workers than extended the celler vault during the First World War into a 2 km long tunnel system over a period of four years. Even today, this sevenths largest wine celler of the world stored a couple thousand bottles of the old Ksara vintages dating back to 1918 at ideal temperatures between 11 and 13°C. The first white wine was produced in 1902. The monks began to import new varieties after the end of the First World War, including Ugni Blanc, Carignan and Muscat. And after the Second World War, Chateau Ksara was already producing 1.5 million bottles annually.
Wine cellar from Chateau Ksara
Winery Chateau Ksara from Lebanon
The winery was privatized in 1973 following the instructions of the Vatican. The buyer was a consortium of Lebanese businessmen led by Jean-Pierre Sara. They purchased the winery for 10 million Lebanese pounds and immediately engaged the French oenologist Noel Rabot. Noel, however, had leave the country in 1975 because the Lebanese civil.  During this time Elie Maamari export manager, took over responsibility for the production and quality of the wine.
The departure of Jean-Pierre and Albert Sara in 1990 resulted in a new Board of Directors with the Chairman Zafer Chaoui. In 1990, Charles Ghostne, a lawyer and former politician, joined the company as managing director as well. James Palgé, who had previously worked at Château Prieuré-Lichine in Margaux, was appointed cellar master in 1993. Furthermore, Charles Ghostne immediately introduced the noble grape varieties Cabernet Sauvigon, Syrah, Merlot and Chardonnay. Also, the Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc varieties were added. Other new varieties were planted on the best sites of the Bekaa valley. In addition, the winery decided to modernise its touristik areas and museumfor more than US$ 6.5 million. The cellar was upgraded and contains a lot of shiny Inox tanks and of course new Demptos barriques. And now the approximately 40,000 visitors per year have the opportunity to be guided through the extraordinary wine cellar. And at last but not least an elaborate sound and light show turns the visit into an unique experience. Cheese and snacks will be served during the wine tasting, since Ksara does not own its own restaurant such as Chasteau Kefraya and Massaya.
The top wine of the estate is the Château, consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot from old vines. They have started to produce some single grape verities such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Reserve du Couvent is Ksara most popular and sold wine with the production of 500,000 bottles every year ( 60% of which are exported). This wine, which is particularly popular in the gastronomy sector. This cuvée recieved several gold medals at the wine fair of the French Oenology Association. In 2007 Château Ksara celebrated its 150th anniversary using the opportunity to presented the new top cuvée Le Souverain.
Ksara leases vineyards additionally to their own 67 hectares and has a total of 300 hectares. The vineyards are not artificially irrigated. The yield is almost 2000 tons, counting up to 7 tons of grapes per hectare. From these 40-45 hl/ha are won. The production volume was 2.0 million bottles in 2004, 2.5 million in 2010 and 3.0 million in 2012. Meanwhile, 43% of the production volume is exported. Europe is the largest foreign market - 38% go to France alone. However, Great Britain and Germany are also important customers. The share of red wines is 65%, white wines account for 20% and rosé wines still account for 15% of production.
Winery Chateau Ksara from Lebanon

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Arak Ksarak de Ksara

€32.50

0,70L (46,43 € pro Liter)

Arak Ksarak (0,7L) from Chateau Ksara, the largest winery in Lebanon, is an outstanding arak variety. This national drink is made from the finest grapes and of course aniseed from the Al-Henah region of Mount Hermon (considered to be the finest aniseed in the world). Chateau Ksara distils this spirit 3 times before it matures for two years in clay jugs. A schnapps for beginners. 

Blanc de Blancs 2017 of Chateau Ksara from the Lebanon
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Blanc de Blancs 2020

€11.90

0,75L (15,87 € pro Liter)

An ideal summer wine with a golden glittering robe. Fruity, harmonious and spicy with a bouquet of mangos, pineapple and citrus in the nose. Fruity and herbal on the palate with a well-balanced hint of wood and herbs.

Chateau 2008 of Chateau Ksara from the Lebanon
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Chateau Ksara 2008

€36.00

0,75L (48,00 € pro Liter)

Ruby red colour. This charming wine has an woody scent of plums, haws and dried fruits with hints of soil and tabacco in the nose. Round, herbal and well-balanced on the palate with spicy aromas of plums, currants and cedars wood.

Cuvee du III Millenaire 2008 of Chateau Ksara from the Lebanon

Cuvee du III Millenaire 2008

€45.00

0,75L (60,00 € pro Liter)

A powerful purple red colour. Ripe fruits in the nose with woody hints of vanilla. A unique and spicy taste on the palate consisting of a well-balanced assis and licorice aroma.

Reserve du Couvent 2013 of Chateau Ksara from the Lebanon
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Reserve du Couvent 2018

€11.90

0,75L (15,87 € pro Liter)

This well-balanced wine with a ruby-red colour reveals finesse and elegance with its intensive woody mint and vanilla aroma in the nose. Supple, pure and round tannins on the palate, which turn into an long-enduring, full-bodied finish.

Sunset 2017 of Chateau Ksara from the Lebanon
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Sunset 2020

€10.90

0,75L (14,53 € pro Liter)

A powerful and robust rosè wine with an salmon pink colour. Fruity with hints of ripe strawberries in the nose and round with a spicy and fresh aroma of red berries in the mouth. The finish has a long and vivid taste.