Lebanese Winemakers Struggle Through War, Drought, Economic Strain

Lebanese vintner Elias Maalouf, whose family has produced wine for six generations in the Bekaa Valley, is facing severe challenges from both war and climate. Israeli air strikes last year, targeting Hezbollah during the peak grape harvest, caused extensive damage to Maalouf's winery, destroying thousands of bottles and fermentation tanks, and preventing the picking of 60 metric tons of grapes. The Food and Agriculture Organization reported that over 4,000 hectares of crops and vineyards in Lebanon were affected by the conflict, with concerns raised about the long-term impact of white phosphorus on soil quality. In addition to war, Lebanon is experiencing its worst drought on record, further slashing grape harvests by three-quarters. To sustain his business, Maalouf has diversified operations by allowing wine lovers and restaurants to use his grapes and equipment for custom blends. These struggles highlight the intersecting pressures of political conflict and climate change on Lebanese agriculture and winemaking.