Mersel 2022 'Dar Richi' Red Blend, Bousit

Dar Richi Hanan is produced by Abdullah Richi, a Syrian refugee who moved to Lebanon to escape the violence of the Syrian war. Abdullah was interested in winemaking and through observational learning with Eddie Chami, he developed this red still wine and named it after his wife - Hanan. Abdullah's dream is to go back to Syria and establish his own winery there.

Vineyard Notes: Grapes come from a vineyard that Richi planted near the Mediterranean in Bousit, as well as oter vineyards he tends in Ainata, in the Bekaa Valley, located at around 1,700 meters above sea level. The vineyards are farmed organically and are composed of limestone soils.

Winemaking Notes: Grapes are picked at the beginning of September and de- stemmed into stainless tanks. The wine is fermented for 10 days at 25 degrees celsius and then the skins are racked off. The wine goes through natural malolactic fermentation, and is racked twice before being bottled in late spring. Minimal sulfur (19ppm) is added at bottling.

Instagram: @dar.richi