Beyond the much sought-after beaches, restaurants, cafes, and bars of Batroun, the coastal city’s thriving tourism extends to its mountains where the growing number of wineries have become a major attraction too.
In the small little-known village of Nehla, nestled in the mountains of Batroun, 25 minutes away from the coast, is one of the youngest wineries in the region. Since its inception in 2018, the boutique winery has managed to distinguish itself, attracting, through its unique wine and guest table philosophy, thousands of locals and tourists alike.
Here is why, like the countless who have tried it and fell for it, you should put Sept Winery on your to-do list when looking what to do around Batroun.
The Location: A small haven in the lush mountains of Batroun.
Being located in a small remote village in the mountains of Batroun, Sept Winery offers the opportunity of a true off-the-beaten-path escape, which takes you on an adventure through unknown roads and hills amidst mountain greenery to reach a small haven overlooking gorgeous landscape views that touch the sea. A view you don’t want to miss!
A Story of Passion
Sept winery is born out of a desire to revive a family’s land. Maher leaves a career of data consultancy in France to return to the land of his father in 2010 and make his dream of becoming a winemaker come true. The road to success is paved with challenges and difficulties; the exciting details of which shall be spared for winery visitors only!
The First Biodynamic Vineyard in Lebanon
This means that the grapes in Nehla’s vineyard abide by the strict guidelines of natural agriculture: no ploughing, no chemicals, no intervention whatsoever in the vinification process. The land’s equilibrium is respected and worked according to the lunar calendar to guarantee the yielding of a perfect fruit. This is how Maher, the owner and winemaker, works his land and grapes, inspired by the ways of his ancestors in the village, and determined to revive these old ways in his vineyard.
The Philosophy: Natural Honest Terroir Wines
Sept Winery’s approach aims at respecting and preserving a natural balance in its wines, just like the balance found in nature. In its philosophy to convey the authentic expression of Lebanon’s terroirs, the winery uses a completely natural fermentation process that relies on: Wild yeast/Spontaneous fermentation, Natural stabilization and minimal filtration of wine, Zero additives during fermentation process, Only small amount of sulfite added before bottling, No use of oak barrels (inox tanks), Lees aging, Skin maceration.
The Motto: “Un Vin de Lieu”
What’s also special about Sept wines is that every bottle tells the story of a region in Lebanon. Besides producing wine from his own vineyard, Maher outsources carefully-selected grapes from different regions across the country, with a mission to showcase the rich diversity and exceptional character of the Lebanese soil. By not mixing these grapes, Sept is the only winery in Lebanon to produce monovarietal wines that showcase the honest expression of Lebanon’s terroirs “singly”. This is how Sept proudly carries the motto “Un vin de lieu”.
Reviving Indigenous
Sept’s most important mission is to share with the world the authentic flavors of Lebanon’s terroir. This is why the winery has led the way in unearthing forgotten vineyards and reviving Lebanese indigenous grapes, such as the Obeideh, Merweh, and Zitani, becoming the first winery in Lebanon to produce these 3 indigenous varieties.
The Table d’Hôte: A Cuisine Expressing Lebanon’s Terroir
With the aim of creating warm and authentic experiences that reconnect people with nature, Sept Winery completes its “vins de lieu” with terroir food. Maher’s passion for showcasing the Lebanese terroir translates also through his love for cooking.
La Table Sept is where he revives his favorite traditional mountain recipes. Using fresh, organic and seasonal ingredients, he breaks these rural recipes only to reinvent them in the most unexpected ways.
Sept’s open kitchen is a small corner inside the winery, making Sept a real “cave à manger”, where wines inspire food and food completes wine.
Sept Winery welcomes you home in an intimate setting that allows visitors to share the winemaker’s passion, food, wine, and little paradise.
For your bookings:
+961 70 570 170
https://table-sept.resos.com/booking
Instagram: @septwinery
Website: www.levinsept.com
