The estate dates from the early seventies, pre-civil war, when the Ghosn family planted table grapes in the Bekaa. Its development was cut short when the family had to abandon the property at the onset of hostilities in 1975 and it soon became home to squatters and opportunists. Brothers Sami and Ramzi Ghosn did not return until the early nineties and, after managing to resecure the land, planted the first of their 55 hectares of vines. The grapes were initially destined for arak (aniseed flavoured spirit made from distilled wine), which was an immediate success, but shortly after they began wine production, firm in the belief that they could create a new wave of Lebanese wine.
In order to generate international interest in their wine project, the brothers secured backing and expertise from the Brunier Brothers of Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe in Châteauneuf du Pape, and from Dominique Hébrard of Château Belfont-Belcier (Bordeaux), who quickly came to share their confidence in the potential of the Bekaa. It’s proved a dynamic partnership, and one that has helped to enhance the reputation of Lebanese wine as a whole.