Lebanese harvest despite conflict

Lebanese winery Ixsir has successfully completed its 2024 harvest despite immense challenges, including Israel's daily bombings in the Bekaa Valley. This year, the harvest was pushed three weeks earlier to safeguard the grapes and people.

Recent Israeli bombings in Lebanon, particularly in the Bekaa Valley, have significantly impacted the country's wine industry. Many vineyards in this region, a historic centre of Lebanese wine production, have suffered from nearby explosions. At Chateau Rayak, for instance, a direct hit damaged the winery, destroying equipment and wine bottles. Fortunately, no one was harmed, though the damage to infrastructure and the wine industry has been severe.

Harvesting has been disrupted by logistical difficulties, such as bombed-out roads and worker safety concerns, leading to challenges in picking grapes and moving products. Despite these conditions, some wineries managed to complete their harvests, although future operations remain uncertain as the violence continues.