Château Musar is one of the world’s most singular fine-wine estates, a beacon of individuality in the hills of Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. Founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar, the estate has forged a reputation for wines that combine Old World craft with a distinctly Levantine sense of place. From its inception, Musar has defied expectations, proving that great, age-worthy wine can emerge from the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Bekaa Valley sits at roughly 1,000 metres above sea level, flanked by the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges. This altitude moderates the hot, dry climate, while gravelly limestone soils provide excellent drainage and a mineral backbone. These natural advantages allow Musar to farm organically — the estate was a pioneer of organic viticulture in Lebanon, practising without chemicals long before it became fashionable.
The estate is best known for its red blend, based primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan, though small amounts of other varieties can appear depending on the vintage. Vines average 40–50 years of age, and each plot is harvested and fermented separately to preserve its character. Fermentation takes place with native yeasts in concrete vats, followed by extended ageing in old French oak barrels and further maturation in bottle. Releases are deliberately delayed: the flagship red often spends seven years or more in the cellar before leaving the winery, allowing the wine to knit together and begin its long evolution.
Musar’s style is unmistakable. The wines show a unique balance of richness and freshness, with flavours that range from sweet-scented red fruits and spice in youth to complex notes of leather, game, dried herbs and balsamic depth with age. The best vintages can age gracefully for decades, developing a perfume and texture that recall fine Bordeaux yet remain utterly distinctive.
Beyond the reds, Musar produces equally characterful white wines, primarily from ancient native varieties Obaideh and Merwah, often likened to aged white Rhône or even old Champagne in their oxidative complexity. There is also a highly regarded rosé and the more accessible “Hochar Père et Fils” red, which offers a glimpse of the grand vin’s character in a more approachable style.
Now led by the third generation of the Hochar family, Château Musar continues to embody resilience and individuality. Through decades of political upheaval and conflict, the winery has remained steadfast in its pursuit of authenticity, crafting wines that are as much a reflection of Lebanon’s history and landscape as they are of timeless winemaking tradition.