Ghassan and Ghada Bou Habib. (Photo provided by Rowan wine.)
It all began in 2007, in the cool hillsides of Qornet Shehwan (Metn district).
A simple family passion for wine, an improvised workshop, a few barrels and a sincere desire to create something beautiful and authentic. Rowan Wine was born from a love of the land and a desire to cultivate it, drop by drop.
Today, this family estate has become one of the refined faces of Lebanese wine. In less than two decades, it has secured its place among the country’s leading wineries, while preserving the artisanal spirit that shaped its beginnings.
Each bottle is crafted by hand, in small quantities, with the meticulous care of fine jewelry. Respect for the terroir guides every gesture, harvest and blend, in a quiet tribute to the generations of winemakers who tended these lands before.
The 2018 Grand Vin is the clearest example. Awarded a gold medal at the Lyon International Competition, it was also named the best Lebanese wine among 6,774 bottles tasted by 1,200 professionals from 51 countries. It’s a distinction that crosses borders and underscores Lebanon’s growing presence on the global wine stage.
But behind this recognition lies a simple philosophy: patient refinement. At Rowan, wine is shaped like a poem, slowly, with intention. Grapes handpicked in the high altitudes of Mount Lebanon ripen under generous sun before aging at length in French oak barrels.
The result is wines that are both powerful and delicate, marked by a timeless elegance that has become the estate’s signature.
The estate’s name carries its own symbolism. The rowan tree, from which it draws its identity, is a sacred figure in Celtic mythology. It is a symbol of life, courage and protection. It’s a fitting metaphor for a journey built on resilience, carried by a family through hardships and crises, always grounded in a belief in the power of craft.
A diverse terroir in the heart of Mount Lebanon
The estate spans nine hectares of terraced vineyards across Faqra (Kesrouan), Lassa (Jbeil) and Rashmaya (Aley) — three sites, altitudes and characters.
In Faqra, at 1,700 meters, vines sink their roots into sunlit clay-limestone soils on land where Romans once honored Dionysus and Venus.
In Lassa, in the heart of the Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve, the region’s first vineyards draw freshness from limestone soils studded with seashells, naturally protected by surrounding biodiversity.
In Rashmaya, vines planted more than 20 years ago flourish on land once tended by monks, a quiet dialogue between nature and spirituality.
From this mosaic of terroirs come expressive, generous wines that carry the enduring brightness of Lebanon.
An exceptional Pinot Noir
Among the estate’s most celebrated cuvées is its Pinot Noir — a rarity in Lebanon — grown in the highlands of Deir al-Ahmar (Baalbeck) and Nabeh al-Ana. It showcases the finesse of the Lebanese terroir. A high-altitude wine with remarkable freshness, praised by critics for its balance and elegance. It reflects the unique character and aromatic grace of Lebanon’s mountain vineyards.
Today, Rowan Wine invites wine lovers to discover not just a bottle, but a story of a country, land and family that chose to reveal its beauty through the universal language of wine.
