This has to be a tale of two wineries. Johnny Saadé, dreamt of making wine in Bordeaux, but established Domaine Bargylus in Syria instead at a time of relative political stability. Sons Karim and Sandro have since taken over, and moved their operation to the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon to establish Château Marsyas when the situation in Syria deteriorated, though they continue to make wine in Syria via video and phone call.

While all wine regions and winegrowers have their share of struggles (be they logistic, economic, environmental, labour related, market-driven… you name it), add to that militia-controlled roads, mortar shells falling in your vineyard, intermittent electricity, and an anti-alcohol regime in charge… For Bargylus and Marsyas, the very act of making wine is a symbol of resistance and a miracle at the same time. And yet they manage to produce “arguably the finest wines produced in the Eastern Mediterranean”, according to Jancis Robinson. They grow Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, and Mourvèdre for red, and Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for white.