Merwah and Obaideh: Lebanon's Indigenous White Grapes

Merwah and Obaideh rank among the oldest cultivated grape varieties in the world, with origins traced to Phoenician viticulture as early as the 7th century BC. Lebanon's 5000-year winemaking history makes it one of the most historically significant wine-producing nations on earth. For most of their history, both grapes served practical purposes: Merwah went into blended white wines, while Obaideh was the backbone of Arak, the anise-flavored spirit central to Lebanese culture. The shift toward varietal bottlings began in 2014 with Obaideh and 2017 with Merwah, marking a genuine modern renaissance for these ancient varieties.

• Cultivation dates to Phoenician times, approximately the 7th century BC
• Lebanon has a documented 5000-year history of wine production
• Obaideh was historically the primary grape for Arak distillation
• First varietal bottlings appeared in 2014 (Obaideh) and 2017 (Merwah)

Both varieties are cultivated across three distinct zones: the Bekaa Valley, Mount Lebanon, and the Anti-Lebanon mountains. Elevations range from 900 to 2400 meters, with most quality vineyards sited between 1300 and 1600 meters. The soils are calcareous and limestone-rich, with combinations of chalky material, calcareous gravel, sand, and clay. The climate is broadly Mediterranean, with long hot summers and wet, mild winters. At altitude, significant day-night temperature variation slows ripening and preserves aromatic complexity. Merwah was traditionally planted on terraced hillsides alongside fig and olive trees, a farming tradition that reflects the deep agricultural heritage of the region.

• Bekaa Valley, Mount Lebanon, and Anti-Lebanon mountains are the three key growing areas
• Typical vineyard elevation: 1300 to 1600 meters above sea level
• Soils are calcareous and limestone-rich with chalk, gravel, sand, and clay
• High-altitude sites deliver significant diurnal temperature variation

Merwah and Obaideh produce distinctly different white wine styles. Merwah, with its thick skins ranging from pale green to light golden yellow, delivers dry whites with rich, nutty, and floral character alongside citrus notes and a creamy texture. The variety's genetic similarity to Semillon hints at the potential for complexity and texture as wines develop. Obaideh produces creamy whites with honey and citrus notes. Its naturally high sugar content and low acidity shaped its historical role in Arak production, but in dry table wine form it offers a rich, distinctive style that differs from most European white varieties.

• Merwah: dry, rich, nutty, floral, citrus, creamy texture
• Obaideh: creamy, honey, citrus, high natural sugar, low acidity
• Merwah has thick skins ranging from pale green to light golden yellow
• Merwah shows genetic similarity to Semillon; Obaideh is confirmed as a native Lebanese grape

The modern revival of Merwah and Obaideh as varietal wines has been led by a small but growing group of Lebanese producers. Château Musar, Lebanon's most internationally recognized estate, has been instrumental in bringing these grapes to global attention. Other notable producers include Château Ksara, Château Kefraya, Domaine des Tourelles, Sept Winery, Coteaux du Liban, Couvent Rouge, Harb, and Mersel Wine. The category remains niche by global standards, but interest from sommeliers and wine enthusiasts seeking authentic indigenous varieties has driven steady growth since the first varietal releases appeared in the 2010s.

• Château Musar is the most internationally prominent producer working with these varieties
• Château Ksara and Château Kefraya are among Lebanon's largest and most established estates
• Domaine des Tourelles and Mersel Wine represent newer-generation producers championing indigenous varieties
• The varietal category is less than 15 years old, with the first releases from 2014 onward

One of the most remarkable aspects of Merwah and Obaideh is the survival of ungrafted vines in some Lebanese vineyards. Phylloxera, the louse that devastated European viticulture in the 19th century, never established itself across Lebanon's high-altitude, often sandy soils in the same way it did in Europe. As a result, some vines grow on their own rootstock, a rarity that connects modern winemakers directly to pre-Phylloxera viticulture. The traditional practice of interplanting vines with olive and fig trees, particularly for Merwah, reflects a polyculture farming model that has persisted for centuries across Lebanon's terraced hillsides.

• Some vineyards retain ungrafted, pre-Phylloxera rootstock
• Lebanon's soils and altitude helped protect against the spread of Phylloxera
• Merwah was traditionally grown on terraces alongside fig and olive trees
• Polyculture farming systems remain part of Lebanese viticultural tradition