In the North of the Bekaa, the Lebanese state has had a hard job establishing its authority. Not so long ago, fields of poppies and cannabis were still stretched endlessly (on 16 000 ha).
In the year 2000, farmers from 11 villages in the region created the "Heliopolis Cooperative" thanks to the technical support and grants given by the French department of Oise. The goal was to get organized around a legal and lucrative activity to abandon the cultivation of illicit crops, in this case, replace poppy and cannabis with vines of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Caladoc. The Bekaa climatic conditions are ideal for the production of grapes and wine of good quality: an altitude of 900 to 1700 meters, six months of sun and six months of rain. This type of farming also helps preserve water resources since vines do not require irrigation, therefore fights against desertification.
They are today 250 farmers cultivating 240 hectares of vineyards, and have chosen the French method of horizontal alignment to improve the vines productivity. Membership applications are ongoing, and families have returned to farming activities after they had left the area and moved to Beirut in search of better living conditions. The former president of the cooperative states: "We have gained more than just lands, we have gained men".
As per Walid, a young man who used to grow cannabis, he was living in a state of fear and uncertainty. After a period spent in prison, he returned to his region and fully adhered to the cooperative’s project. Enthusiastic and ambitious, he is now carried by his dream of producing a good wine.
In the year 2000, farmers from 11 villages in the region created the "Heliopolis Cooperative" thanks to the technical support and grants given by the French department of Oise. The goal was to get organized around a legal and lucrative activity to abandon the cultivation of illicit crops, in this case, replace poppy and cannabis with vines of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Caladoc. The Bekaa climatic conditions are ideal for the production of grapes and wine of good quality: an altitude of 900 to 1700 meters, six months of sun and six months of rain. This type of farming also helps preserve water resources since vines do not require irrigation, therefore fights against desertification.
They are today 250 farmers cultivating 240 hectares of vineyards, and have chosen the French method of horizontal alignment to improve the vines productivity. Membership applications are ongoing, and families have returned to farming activities after they had left the area and moved to Beirut in search of better living conditions. The former president of the cooperative states: "We have gained more than just lands, we have gained men".
As per Walid, a young man who used to grow cannabis, he was living in a state of fear and uncertainty. After a period spent in prison, he returned to his region and fully adhered to the cooperative’s project. Enthusiastic and ambitious, he is now carried by his dream of producing a good wine.
Others are living a real therapy. It is the case of Ibrahim, who after a lifetime spent working in the field of industry, including Saudi Arabia, purchased a parcel of land to grow grapes under the guidance of his wine expert daughter.
In addition to seeking to protect young people from drugs and insuring decent incomes to over 430 families in 11 villages, the cooperative promotes conviviality by making Muslims and Christians work together.
Today, Fair Trade Lebanon and Terroirs du Liban buy a part of the grape crops to produce "Coteaux les Cèdres" the first Fairtrade and Organic certified wine in Lebanon and the Middle-East. An exceptional taste, intense and slightly fruity...this wine of a unique character is proudly exported to Europe and Japan!
Today, Fair Trade Lebanon and Terroirs du Liban buy a part of the grape crops to produce "Coteaux les Cèdres" the first Fairtrade and Organic certified wine in Lebanon and the Middle-East. An exceptional taste, intense and slightly fruity...this wine of a unique character is proudly exported to Europe and Japan!
