Chateau Belle-Vue: Heritage, Rebirth, Modernity
Words by Ian Garcia (Sommelier at ilili NoMad)
Wine has a way of telling stories—of places, people, and the histories that shape them. As the sommelier at ilili, I have the privilege of sharing these stories, connecting our guests not just to a bottle, but to the hands and lands behind it.
Some stories surprise me. When I first came across Chateau Belle-Vue, I was struck by the sheer determination behind it. This isn’t a winery in a famous appellation or a place you’d expect to find vineyards. And yet, against the odds, it thrives—because some traditions refuse to be forgotten.
Naji—a native son with an unshakable vision—and his partner Jill left behind the urban rhythm of London, returning with their four children (joking that they’d just doubled the village’s population). In April 2000, beside the timeworn stone walls their ancestors built, they planted their first vines. It wasn’t just about making wine; it was a declaration that this land, its history, and its identity would endure.
Today, Chateau Belle-Vue stands as a testament to that spirit. Nestled in this reborn landscape is La Renaissance 2013—a vintage that lives up to its name. More than just a wine, it’s a manifesto of renewal, where every sip carries the weight of the past and the triumph of resilience.
At the heart of this revival is Le Chateau, the soul of the estate. It’s where heritage meets innovation, where artisans like Diana Salame, with her deep respect for natural yeasts, and Khaled Tabet, a third-generation farmer whose hands know the land intimately, pour their expertise into every bottle. Across 60 terraced acres yielding just 25,000 bottles a year, their work allows the terroir to shine—raw, expressive, and undeniably alive.
In addition to La Renaissance, we’re also highlighting Chateau Belle-Vue’s Petit Geste—a bright, textured white that showcases the same thoughtful craftsmanship through a different lens. Both wines are featured in our current ‘Lebanese Journey’ tasting menu, offering a complete picture of the estate’s range and a deeper connection to its story.
Chateau Belle-Vue, with its La Renaissance, Petit Geste, and the enduring spirit of Le Chateau, is proof that history isn’t just something to remember—it’s something you can taste. And when a wine carries that much meaning, it deserves to be shared.