From its founding in 1857, Château Ksara Estate lives and grows through the core values of Tradition, Nobility, and Modernity. And as the country’s oldest winery, we have made it our mission to not only continue our unique, centuries-old practice of winemaking, but to also implement the newest and most innovative processes and continue leading the winemaking in Lebanon for generations to come.
All our vineyards are located in the Bekaa Valley at an average altitude of 1,000 meters. The Bekaa has a semi-continental climate. The winters are cold with moderate rainfall and the summers are hot and dry. The altitude means that the hot summer days are balanced by cool evenings with a temperature difference of around 15°C. The vineyards also benefit from the land’s own natural water table, which is situated between two snow-capped mountain ranges. We have between 600 and 700mm of yearly rainfall, concentrated in autumn and winter. In contrast, the weather is dry during summer months and growing seasons, resulting in far fewer diseases. Pesticides and herbicides are not used, so the grapes are grown almost organically. The soil ranges from chalk, to clay and chalk, to clay and limestone, but it is always stony.
Our portfolio of signature products is a testament to our legacy and the Bekaa’s formidable terroir. Each bottle produced is with respect to our core values of tradition, nobility, and modernity. Whether it’s a wine or our specialty Arak and Eau de Vie de Vin, quality is paramount for Château Ksara.
CHATEAU KSARA LE PRIEURE
GRAPE VARIETALS - Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
WINEMAKING - The grapes are manually harvested, totally stemmed, and transferred to tanks in order to achieve the alcoholic fermentation. The Cinsault is shortly vatted to keep the freshness, the Carignan and Mourvèdre are kept for a longer time to extract the aroma and spices, and the Cabernet Sauvignon undergoes long skin contact to express length and elegance. The free-flowing and press wines achieve the malolactic fermentation in different vats.
MATURING - The grape varietals are matured separately in vats for 12 to 14 months before being blended and bottled.
TASTE - Its bright, intense ruby red color, with an exotic fruity aroma along with spicy and licorice notes, make it a wine to remember. Mellow and supple tannins on the palate.
AGEING - It can be drunk upon purchase or kept for 2 to 3 years in a good cellar.
CHATEAU KSARA DU COUVENT RESERVE
GRAPE VARIETALS - Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
WINEMAKING - 100% stemmed, the wine is vatted for 12 to 18 days after alcoholic fermentation at 24 to 28°C. The drawn off wines and presses are separated, after which the malolactic fermentation takes place.
MATURING - When the racking off and addition of sulphites are over, the noble grape varietals are matured in oak casks while the other varietals mature in vats. After 12 months of maturing, the wines are blended and bottled.
TASTE - This wine, with its dark ruby red colour, combines finesse and elegance with the aroma of wood and vanilla, and supple, pure, and round tannins give it length and persistence on the palate.
AGEING - Could be immediately consumed or kept for 3 to 5 years in a good cellar.
GRAPE VARIETALS - As indicated by its name, this wine is only produced out of white grapes. The quality of this wine is the result of a harmonious blending of noble varietals. The Chardonnay gives this wine its finesse and elegance, the Sauvignon its subtle aroma of hazelnuts and exotic fruits, and the Semillon its roundness, length, and rich taste.
WINEMAKING - Picked in cases and pressed pneumatically as whole grapes, sedimentation and fermentation are done at 18°C. When the sugars are exhausted, the wine is racked off to prevent malolactic fermentation.
MATURING - The various wines are matured for several months in French oak casks before being blended, stabilized, and bottled.
TASTE - This wine seduces with its finesse, elegance, and floral aroma. On the palate, it is soft, fresh, and long-lasting.
AGEING - It can be kept for 2 to 3 years in a good cellar, but it is preferable to drink it during the same year.
SERVING - This wine can be served as an aperitif or with fresh fish and shellfish. To be served chilled at 8°C.