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ZIAD AMMAR, THE OWNER (CENTER),<br />
RABIH SADAKA, THE WINEMAKER<br />
(LEFT), AND NAJIB MOUTRAN,<br />
THE MARKETING MANAGER (RIGHT)<br />
IN FRONT OF THE NEW HOME OF<br />
CHATEAU TROIS COLLINES<br />
indigenous grapes and vines. The philosophy here is all about pursuing the never-ending<br />
quest to plant quality vineyards with low yields and minimal intervention with the ability<br />
to produce the finest expressions of the fruit.<br />
On 1 May 2023, Guiberteau was awarded the ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite Agricole<br />
Français’, by Philippe Faure-Brac, 1992 World’s Best Sommelier. This recognition honors<br />
his attachment to the terroir and efforts to build bridges between East and West.<br />
A MEDITERRANEAN FEEL<br />
Chateau Trois Collines is an inspirational story. Its founder, mechanical engineer and<br />
businessman, Ziad Ammar, started planting his first vineyards in 2011 in Ain Bourdai facing<br />
the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Bacchus in Baalbek at an elevation of 1,600m above<br />
sea level. The land still contains evidence of viticulture dating back to Phoenician times.<br />
The new Chateau in Dahr Al Baydar is marvelous to experience. Inspired by Mediterranean<br />
architecture, it is visible from the main road on the mountain top overlooking both the<br />
Bekaa region and the coast.<br />
Vines were initially planted over 45 hectares on the three main hills, or Trois Collines in<br />
French. Using sustainable irrigation powered by solar energy, 125 hectares of stupendous<br />
vineyards now paint the hillside with an evergreen carpet of a sumptuous array of vines.<br />
The vineyards are also organically certified.<br />
Production started in 2016 and since then a range of 5 blends and 13 single varietals of red,<br />
white, and rosé organic wines from its own vineyards has been released. The winemaker<br />
Rabih Sadaka creates unique renditions of wine that beautifully showcase the quality of<br />
the terroir. He oversees every aspect of the winemaking process with utmost care, using<br />
a holistic quality control system to produce a refined, elegant and unique expression of a<br />
Mediterranean wine.<br />
60 AUTUMN 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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