Sept Winery

Sept Winery is run by the talented, self-taught Maher Harb, whose passion for winemaking is deeply personal. The winery serves as a touching homage to Maher’s father, whom he tragically lost at the tender age of seven years old during the tumultuous period of the Lebanese civil war, making every bottle produced a testament to his father’s memory.

The remarkable journey of Sept Winery began in 2012, emerging from a series of serendipitous events that guided Maher back to his ancestral roots. The initial four years were marked by solitary dedication, as Maher single-handedly planted 5000 vines, accompanied only by his faithful companion, Miles, the Jack Russell terrier. Through unwavering determination, countless hours of physical labor, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, Maher transformed Sept Winery into the prestigious establishment it is today. The winery now produces eight exceptional wines, each bearing its own distinct personality and character, crafted through various innovative winemaking styles and techniques that showcase the versatility of Lebanese viticulture.

Sept Winery is beautifully situated in the elevated foothills of Mount Batroun, with a commanding view of the Mediterranean Sea in Northern Lebanon. While the location offers breathtaking panoramic vistas, it serves more than just aesthetic purposes. The coastal influence plays a crucial role in shaping the wines’ character, particularly evident in the white wines, which possess a distinctive and natural ‘salty’ minerality that sets them apart.

In his quest to capture the diverse expressions of Lebanese terroir, Maher sources his grapes from both the Northern mountains and the Bekaa Valley. Each region contributes its unique characteristics to the wines: the mountains, with their high-altitude Mediterranean climate and distinctive soil composition of limestone, clay, and sand, provide one set of flavour profiles, while the Bekaa Valley, known for its continental climate and varied soil types ranging from white to red clay and gravels, offers another. This thoughtful combination of terroirs results in a collection of wines that are both rich in complexity and diverse in character.

Defying conventional expectations, Maher’s vineyard sits at an impressive altitude of 950 meters above sea level. This elevation proves instrumental in creating wines with a cooler climate influence, resulting in enhanced freshness and optimal acidity levels that ensure perfect balance. These unique aspects of the terroir, combined with the vineyard’s distinct location, play a fundamental role in developing the wines’ sophisticated flavour profiles and intricate complexity.

Maher’s connection to his land runs deeper than mere cultivation; he experiences a profound spiritual bond with the soil beneath his feet where he spent his childhood. For him, his own roots are inextricably intertwined with those of the vines, creating a symbiotic relationship that is reflected in every bottle of Sept wine.

From the inception of Sept Winery, Maher has embraced biodynamic viticulture as the cornerstone of his winemaking philosophy. This ancient and holistic approach to agriculture, developed in the early 1900s by Rudolf Steiner, provides comprehensive guidance that aligns vineyard operations with lunar cycles and celestial rhythms. The methodology encompasses specific agricultural practices that go beyond organic farming, treating the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem where every element plays a vital role in the health and vitality of the vines.

These biodynamic methods demonstrate profound respect for the natural elements within the vineyard’s ecosystem, working in harmony with the environment rather than against it. By following these principles, the vines develop stronger natural defense mechanisms, eliminating the need for chemical interventions such as pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. This approach allows the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness and express their full natural potential, resulting in fruit that truly embodies the essence of its terroir. The winemaking process maintains this natural philosophy, with fermentation occurring spontaneously through indigenous wild yeasts present on the grape skins. The minimal intervention approach extends throughout the entire process, with zero additives introduced except for a modest amount of sulphur at bottling, which serves as a natural preservative to ensure the wine’s stability and longevity.

Sept’s dedication to preserving and celebrating the viticultural heritage of Lebanon is evident in their approach to working with the land and its indigenous grape varieties. The privilege of working with vines that have survived for over two centuries is not taken lightly, as these ancient plants represent living history and contribute to the extraordinary character of Sept’s wines.

The vineyard showcases an impressive diversity of grape varieties, thoughtfully combining both native Lebanese and international varietals. The revival of indigenous varieties such as Merweh and Obaideh stands as a testament to Sept’s commitment to preserving Lebanon’s viticultural heritage. These native varieties grow alongside internationally recognized grapes such as Viognier, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The success of both indigenous and Western varietals in this unique terroir demonstrates the exceptional versatility of the land. Setting itself apart in the Lebanese wine landscape, Sept holds the distinction of being the only known Lebanese winery focusing exclusively on single-varietal wines from individual parcels of land, allowing each grape variety to express its pure, unadulterated character rather than following the traditional blending approach popularized by the historic Chateau Musar.

The essence of Sept’s philosophy is elegantly captured in their motto, “Un vin de lieu,” which translates to “a local wine.” This simple phrase encompasses their broader commitment to producing wines that express the singular character of specific plots and individual grape varieties. The winery’s distinctive logo, an etching from Maher’s childhood schoolbook, serves as more than just a brand symbol – it’s a deeply personal emblem that encapsulates the entire philosophy behind Sept Winery. For Maher, the winery represents a profound homage to his homeland and embodies his dedication to reviving native varieties. His innovative winemaking style masterfully bridges the gap between traditional and modern approaches, combining ancestral wisdom with contemporary creativity. This unique fusion results in wines of remarkable concentration, richness, and complexity that honor both Lebanon’s winemaking heritage and its future potential.