Xara Caves

Among the many countries that claim the right to be considered the homeland of wine, perhaps Lebanon, called in ancient times Phoenicia, more than others deserves this honorary title. Phoenician wines were served to the tables of pharaohs and archons, Caesars and emperors.

With the establishment of Turkish rule in the country, winemaking traditions declined and were lost. It was only with the arrival of Christian missionaries in Lebanon that ancient art took root again in Lebanon.

In 1857, Jesuit monks founded the country’s first wine house, which they gave the name Xara, which means “fortified castle”. This was the name of an ancient village that sheltered Christians in the days of persecution.

The caves that became a landmark of Xar were discovered by chance in 1878. According to legend, they were found by orphans hired to work in the winery. The length of the caves belonging to the period of Roman rule is three kilometers, the temperature and humidity are ideal for storing wine. Today, these natural wine cellars store many hundreds of barrels and bottles of wine.

The Ksar winery house arranges excursions to the caves, during which everyone can get acquainted with the peculiarities of production and taste the beautiful Lebanese wines.