Mersel, Red Velvet 2023, Lebanon

Natural Wine with a Wild Lebanese Soul If you haven’t tried the bold, organic wines of Mersel—Lebanon’s first natural winery—this is the perfect place to start. Founded by three women, Mersel is dedicated to 100% organic, unfiltered, and additive-free winemaking. Grapes are sourced from high-altitude vineyards in Bousit, Wadi Qannoubine, and Maksar Mersel, capturing the true character of the land. Led by winemaker Eddie Chami, formerly of Couvent Rouge, Mersel creates expressive, small-batch wines like LebNat Pet Nat Gold, Phoenix Merwah, and Dar Richi-Hanan—a red made in collaboration with a Syrian refugee. This Cinsault is light, juicy, and vibrant. Grown on 10-year-old vines and fermented in concrete tanks with wild yeasts, it’s best enjoyed chilled. Perfect with a mezze spread—smoky baba ganoush, grilled halloumi, muhammara, lamb kofta, or zesty tabbouleh. Mersel is more than a winery—it’s a celebration of sustainability, community, and tradition. Even their symbol, the Nubian ibex, reflects their wild and rooted spirit.