Château Ksara is Lebanon’s oldest and largest winery, and its establishment laid the foundations for the country’s modern wine industry. It is in the heart of the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon’s preeminent wine-producing region. Winemaking began in 1857 when the estate was inherited by Jesuit monks, who began farming a 27-hectare plot of land where they produced Lebanon’s first dry red wine. In 1973, the Vatican encouraged its missions and monasteries around the world to divest any commercial ventures, at which point Château Ksara already had an annual production of 1.5 million bottles. Identifying Ksara’s potential, a consortium of forward-thinking local Lebanese businessmen purchased the estate and invested in the vineyards and the cellars. Ksara has a broad portfolio, including French-inspired blends from the French colonial era and more modern styles, including a white that uses the ancient native grape Merwah. Today, they are among the best-known and loved Lebanese producers in the UK market and are a staple of any top Lebanese restaurant list.