Domaine des Tourelles

What Domaine des Tourelles does

Domaine des Tourelles is Lebanon's oldest winery, founded in 1868 by François-Eugène Brun in the Bekaa Valley and owned since 2000 by the Issa and Issa el-Khoury families. The company produces and sells a diversified portfolio of wines (Classic Range, Old Vines Collection, Premium Wines, Pink Kiss Rosé, Skin Wine), traditional Lebanese arak (Arak Brun, including 5- and 10-year reserves), spirits (GinBey gin, Glenbey whisky), liqueurs, and gift sets, with bottle prices ranging from approximately $5 to $75. Production is built on heritage viticulture — approximately 50 hectares of estate vineyards including some of the oldest vines in the Bekaa Valley (70-150+ years old), dry-farmed organic farming, indigenous yeast fermentation in century-old concrete tanks, and traditional clay jar aging for arak. Under Managing Director and winemaker Faouzi Issa (trained at Supagro de Montpellier, with prior stints at Domaine René Rostaing and Château Margaux), the company has expanded into export markets across 20+ countries and built an on-site hospitality offering including the Tawlet Tourelles restaurant and guided winery tours and tastings.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model: direct-to-consumer via e-commerce (delivery within Lebanon only) and two owned retail boutiques in Chtaura and Beirut, plus channel/distributor-based international sales through Vintage International in GCC duty-free and various international wine merchants. Customer segments include wine and spirit enthusiasts in Lebanon, duty-free travelers across the GCC, and wine tourists visiting the Bekaa Valley. Revenue streams are entirely transactional (unit pricing per bottle or per tasting experience), with no subscription, licensing, or recurring contractual model.

Strategically, the company has shifted from a wine-only heritage producer into a multi-category alcoholic beverage and experiential brand: arak remains the core, but the addition of GinBey (2021), the Glenbey whisky collaboration (2021), the ultra-premium Arak Brun 10 Years (2023), Skin Wine (2023), and the Tawlet Tourelles restaurant points to a deliberate brand extension strategy. International recognition — including Decanter top-5 Lebanese wine, Jancis Robinson 17/20 ratings, Jamie Goode 94/100, Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2026 selection, and a Gold Medal at Vinalies Internationales — has been a primary growth lever, supported by active participation in Wine Paris, ProWein Düsseldorf, and the Old Vine Conference. The principal operating constraints are structural: e-commerce is geographically restricted to Lebanon, the estate is family-owned with no external capital, and Lebanon's broader economic and geopolitical volatility creates input cost, logistics, and currency exposure that disproportionately affect a domestic production base.

Name

Domaine des Tourelles

Legal name

Domaine des Tourelles

Website

https://domainedestourelles.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1868

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Domaine des Tourelles is Lebanon's oldest winery (founded 1868), producing wines, arak, gin, whisky, and liqueurs from heritage Bekaa Valley vineyards and exporting to over 20 countries via retail, duty-free, and on-site tourism channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Winery and Spirits Production

NAICS

Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (4453)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC), Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD), Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA)

Keywords

• Lebanese winery
• Traditional winemaking
• Premium spirits
• Old vine wines
• Wine tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Chtaura

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Wine Sales: Production and sale of wines including Classic Range (Red, White, Rosé), Old Vines Collection (Carignan, Cinsault, Merweh & Obeidi), Premium Wines (Marquis des Beys Red and White, Syrah du Liban), and Skin Wine. Prices range from $7 to $33 per bottle.
2. Arak Brun Spirits: Production and sale of traditional Lebanese arak including regular Arak Brun (187ml, 350ml, 700ml), Arak Brun Special Reserve 5 Years, and Arak Brun Special Reserve 10 Years. Prices range from $5.40 to $40.
3. GinBey Premium Gin: Lebanon's first premium gin distilled from 14 Lebanese botanicals, rested in clay jars. Sold at $8.50 per 700ml bottle.
4. Glenbey Whisky: Joint collaboration with Ets. Antoine Massoud producing Scottish whisky refined and bottled in Lebanon. Available in 3YO ($6.55), 12YO ($15.82), and Byblos expressions.
5. Liqueurs: Production of liqueurs including Brou de Noix, Oranjaline Triple Sec, and chocolate shots. Prices from $8 to $12.
6. Gift Boxes and Accessories: Bundled gift products including The Arak Brun Gift ($75.25), The Choco Liqueurs Gift ($52), and accessories like crochet bottle bags ($25), clay jugs ($15), and books.
7. Wine Tourism: On-site winery tours and tastings at $15 per person. Includes guided tour of old winery, cellars, distillery, and tasting of 5 wines and 5 spirits. Restaurant (Tawlet Tourelles) also operates on-site.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Domaine des Tourelles produces and sells Lebanese wines (Classic, Premium, and Old Vines Collections), traditional Arak Brun spirits (including 5-year and 10-year reserves), GinBey premium gin, Glenbey blended Scotch whisky, liqueurs (Oranjaline Triple Sec, Brou de Noix, chocolate shots), and gift boxes. The company also operates the Tawlet Tourelles on-site restaurant, offers guided winery tours and tastings, and exports to over 20 countries with domestic distribution through e-commerce and two retail boutiques in Lebanon.

Product overview

Domaine des Tourelles is Lebanon's oldest winery, established in 1868 in the Bekaa Valley. The company produces a diverse portfolio of alcoholic beverages and experiences organized into four main categories: (1) Classic Range wines including red, white, and rosé varietals plus Pink Kiss Rosé; (2) Premium wines including Marquis des Beys Red and White, and Syrah du Liban; (3) Old Vines Collection featuring single-varietal wines from heritage Lebanese grapes (Cinsault, Carignan, Merweh, Obeidi) and Skin Wine; (4) Spirits including Arak Brun in three expressions (classic, 5-year, and 10-year reserves), GinBey gin made with 14 Lebanese botanicals, and Glenbey whisky; (5) Liqueurs including Oranjaline Triple Sec, Brou de Noix, and chocolate shot liqueurs. The company also operates Tawlet Tourelles restaurant and offers winery tours and tastings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arak Brun: Premium Lebanese arak produced in the Bekaa Valley, created by the Brun family in the early 20th century and perfected by Pierre Brun.
• GinBey
• Glenbey
• Tawlet Tourelles
• Pink Kiss

Products and services

• Domaine des Tourelles Red Classic red wine blend from the Bekaa Valley, part of the estate's core range of wines. 750ml bottle at $7.00.
• Domaine des Tourelles White Classic white wine from the Bekaa Valley with crisp, refreshing acidity. Part of the estate's core range. 750ml bottle at $7.00.
• Domaine des Tourelles Rosé Classic rosé wine from the Bekaa Valley made from a blend of Cinsault and Syrah. 750ml bottle at $7.00.
• Pink Kiss Rosé Premium rosé expression from Cinsault (50%) and Syrah (50%), featuring aromas of papaya, melon, white peach, red berries, and orange blossom. 750ml bottle at $15.00.
• Marquis des Beys Red Premium red wine blend of Syrah (50%) and Cabernet-Sauvignon (50%), aged 18 months in French oak barrels. 750ml bottle at $18.00.
• Marquis des Beys White Premium white wine made from 100% Chardonnay, aged 8 months in oak barrels (half new, half first use). 750ml bottle at $13.00.
• Syrah du Liban Single-varietal Syrah aged 24 months in all new American oak barrels, featuring floral notes with explosive spicy character. 750ml bottle at $33.00.
• Cinsault Vieilles Vignes Old vines red wine from over 50-year-old Cinsault vines, fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats and aged 8 months in neutral French oak barrels. 750ml bottle at $11.00.
• Carignan Vieilles Vignes Old vines red wine from over 50-year-old Carignan vines, fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats and aged 2 years in concrete vats. 750ml bottle at $11.00.
• Merweh & Obeidi Vieilles Vignes White Wine Indigenous Lebanese white blend of Merweh (50%, over 100-year-old vines from Bsharreh) and Obeidi (50%, over 50 years old from Zahleh). Cold fermented with wild yeast. 750ml bottle at $11.00.
• Skin Wine Skin-contact orange wine from 150-year-old wild Merweh grapes, macerated in 200L clay jars with regular punch-down. Light amber color with notes of flowers, orange blossoms, jasmine, tea, apricot, and pears. 750ml bottle at $10.00.
• Arak Brun Premium Lebanese arak produced from grape alcohol and blended with fresh anise, triple distilled in copper alembics and aged approximately 1 year in clay jars. Available in 187ml ($5.40), 350ml ($8.00), and 700ml ($13.25).
• Arak Brun Special Reserve 5 Years Limited edition Lebanese arak aged 5 years inside old clay jars, transforming the spirit into a smooth and unique product. 700ml bottle at $25.00.
• Arak Brun Special Reserve 10 Years Ultra-premium arak made from old Obeidi vines, triple distilled, then aged 10 years in old Lebanese clay jars with exceptional smoothness and refined taste. 700ml bottle at $40.00.
• GinBey Lebanon's first premium gin, distilled from 14 Lebanese botanicals including juniper, coriander, angelica root, citrus peels, mandarin peels, liquorice, cassia, pomegranate seeds, tilia petals, and rose petals, then rested in traditional clay jars. 700ml bottle at $8.50.
• Glenbey Whisky (3YO) 3-year-old grain and malt blended Scotch whisky aged in sherry wood, made in Scotland then refined and bottled in Lebanon at Domaine des Tourelles. 700ml bottle at $6.55.
• Glenbey 12 Years Whisky Premium 12-year-old blended Scotch whisky combining Scottish craftsmanship with Lebanese production, featuring notes of Oloroso sherry, Manuka honey, caramel, toasted vanilla, and freshly baked bread. 700ml bottle at $15.82.
• Glenbey Byblos 3-year-old whisky blend celebrating the connection between Scotland and Byblos (Lebanon), with intense yet balanced nose and robust palate.
• Liqueur Brou de Noix Walnut liqueur (brou de noix) served in chocolate shots at the winery. $12.00 per bottle.
• Liqueur Dark Chocolate Shots Dark chocolate liqueur served in signature chocolate shots. $8.00 per bottle.
• Liqueur Oranjaline Triple Sec Orange triple sec liqueur, served in white chocolate shots. $12.00 per bottle.
• Liqueur White Chocolate Shots White chocolate liqueur served in signature chocolate shots. $8.00 per bottle.
• The Arak Brun Gift Gift set containing Arak Brun 700ml, Mezze cookbook by Barbara Abdeni Massaad, aluminum traditional cooking pot, aniseed bag, tote bag, and gift box. $75.25 per set.
• The Choco Liqueurs Gift Gift set with Oranjaline Triple Sec Liqueur, dark and white chocolate shots, Brou de Noix Liqueur, tote bag, and gift box. $52.00 per set.
• Tawlet Tourelles Restaurant On-site restaurant at the winery offering Mediterranean cuisine, wine pairings, and tasting experiences. Open for lunch service starting May 2nd.
• Winery Tours & Tastings Guided tours of the 1868 winery, cellars, distillery, and vineyards with tasting of 5 wines and 5 spirits. Includes visits to barrel cellars and clay jar aging room. $15 per person.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vieilles Vignes Cinsault scored 94 points from Jamie Goode and featured in Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2026 as one of top 12 wines to try
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Vintage InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Arak Brun in travel retail market since 2003. Manages distribution to duty-free shops across GCC including Bahrain, Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah, and Qatar Duty Free.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Boutari Winery: Greek heritage winery (est. 1879) producing wines from indigenous and international varietals across multiple regions. Comparable as a Mediterranean heritage producer focused on indigenous grapes and global export, with overlapping product positioning.
• Château Kefraya: Bekaa Valley-based Lebanese winery with comparable estate footprint, broad wine portfolio, and international export presence. Comparable in scale, geography, and category position.
• Château Ksara: Founded in 1857, another leading Lebanese winery with broad portfolio, tourism operations, and distribution across the Levant. Directly comparable as a major multi-category Lebanese wine producer with winery tours and on-site experiences.
• Domaine Wardy: Lebanese winery in the Bekaa Valley producing wines and arak with export presence. Comparable as a multi-category Lebanese producer (wine plus arak) operating in the same domestic market and competing for similar export channels.
• Château Musar: Lebanon's most internationally iconic winery, also producing terroir-driven wines from the Bekaa Valley with old-vine focus and high-altitude vineyards. Closest comparable in terms of heritage positioning, export footprint, and Old World-style winemaking from a Lebanese producer.
• Clos St. Thomas: Lebanese boutique winery in the Bekaa Valley producing premium wines from high-altitude vineyards. Comparable as a quality-focused Lebanese producer with similar international ambitions and pricing tier.
• IXSIR: Lebanese winery focused on high-altitude (1,000m+) vineyards in the Batroun region, emphasizing terroir expression and modern winemaking. Comparable as a premium Lebanese producer targeting international fine-wine channels.

Broad incumbents

• Yalumba Wine Estate: Family-owned Australian winery (est. 1849) renowned for old-vine Barossa Shiraz and Rhône varietals. Comparable as a heritage family winery specializing in old-vine expressions and Rhône-influenced winemaking.
• E. Guigal: Major Rhône Valley producer of Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage wines from old-vine Syrah vineyards, with broad global distribution. Comparable as a premium old-vine Syrah-focused producer where Domaine des Tourelles' winemaker trained.
• Bodegas Torres: Major Spanish wine group with extensive portfolio including old-vine Mediterranean varietals and family heritage dating to 1870. Comparable as a long-heritage, family-run Mediterranean wine producer with global distribution and emphasis on indigenous varieties.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/domainedestourelles
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Domainedestourelles
• Facebookfacebook.com/DomainedesTourelles
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/domaine-des-tourelles
• Instagraminstagram.com/domainedestourelles

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Domaine des Tourelles