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The Lebanon wine making tradition dates back 5,000 years when the Phoenicians, the ancient dwellers of Lebanon, were tending vineyards, making wine and trading with other major cities long before the Greeks and Romans.

And it was here that later Jesus changed water into wine, peforming his first miracle at the wedding of Cana.

The modern Lebanese wine industry dates back to 1857, when the Ksara vineyard was first planted by Jesuit priests.

Although today more known of its majestic cedars - and a very damaging 16-year civil war - Lebanon traditionally enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year. The country is also blessed with the verdant Bekaa Valley which, at 3,000 feet above sea level, is ideal for growing grapes.

The result is a burgeoning wine industry boasting 30 Lebanese wineries which are producing award-winning wines. About 50% of the total production is also currently exported to a wide Lebanese community now living throughout the world, mainly in the UK, France, and the United States.

Around the Web, learn more about ancient and modern day wine making techniques in Lebanon along with more information on visiting the country's top wineries ....

More about Lebanon wine around the Web:

Lebanese wine - Wikipedia - This broad overview gives details on the history of ancient Lebanese wine production as well as the modern industry including major grape varietals, and important wineries with maps, photos, and related references and resources.