The Bekaa Valley
Vineyards are located in the Western Bekaa.
1.050m (3,445 feet) above sea level.
Landscape
Domaine des Tourelles farms close to 50 ha of vineyards, most of which are located in the village of Ammik in the Western Bekaa, while two other plots, in the villages of Jdita and Taanayel are in the central Bekaa Valley.
Some of the vineyards are owned outright by the winery while others are under long-term contracts. Vines are typically free-standing bush, with a few trellised vineyards surrounding the property. These vineyards boast some of the oldest vines in the valley, reaching up to 70 years in some cases.
Climate
These are some of the highest altitude vineyards in the Northern Hemisphere at 1,050 m above sea level. Benefiting from 240 days of reliable sunshine and the dry climate in the Bekaa where most fungal diseases are not a real threat, all grapes are grown organically.
Viticulture
Soils: Iron-rich gravel and limestone soils with clay sub-soils.
Vineyards: Dry farmed (no irrigation).
Farming: 50 ha of vines some owned, others
under long-term contracts for 25 and 30 years.
Practices: Treated organically, only sulfur
and copper are used when needed.
Age of Vines: Own some of the oldest vines in the Bekaa, some of which are more than 70 years old, giving extremely low yield.
Training: Mostly bush, some trellised vineyards by the house for aesthetic purposes.
Harvest: Manual selection is made in the vineyards then again at the winery.