THREE TECTONIC PLATES. THREE SHIELDING MOUNTAINS. ONE UNIQUE TERROIR
TJ Village is situated atop the Yammouneh rift created by the collision of European, Asian and African tectonic plates. Our Cabernet Franc and Merlot vineyards are planted on this unique subsoil, and are the only grapes used in our prime wine fLuR.
We are in the southwest Bekaa Valley, on the east-facing slope of Mount Lebanon shielding us from the Mediterranean. Westerly winds pass through the Barouk cedars before reaching the vines. Opposite us, snow-capped Mount Hermon shields us from the hot winds of the Syrian desert. The Litani river and its nearby lake provide the right level of humidity.
The clay- limestone soil sitting atop a deep water table helps manage the lack of summer rainfall. Finally our high altitude vineyards at 1300-1400m, with their lower temperatures, allow slower and later ripening in addition to wider diurnal differences. This altitude terroir is arguably the closest in Lebanon to a continental climate.
The latitude in Lebanon is 33.8N, well south of both Napa Valley (38.5), and Bordeaux (44.8N). This difference in temperature patterns has a direct impact on varietal selection, viticulture practices and vinification styles. We have decided to compensate lower latitude with higher altitude. Every 1000 meters compensates for 6 degrees Centigrade.
We are in the southwest Bekaa Valley, on the east-facing slope of Mount Lebanon shielding us from the Mediterranean. Westerly winds pass through the Barouk cedars before reaching the vines. Opposite us, snow-capped Mount Hermon shields us from the hot winds of the Syrian desert. The Litani river and its nearby lake provide the right level of humidity.
The clay- limestone soil sitting atop a deep water table helps manage the lack of summer rainfall. Finally our high altitude vineyards at 1300-1400m, with their lower temperatures, allow slower and later ripening in addition to wider diurnal differences. This altitude terroir is arguably the closest in Lebanon to a continental climate.
The latitude in Lebanon is 33.8N, well south of both Napa Valley (38.5), and Bordeaux (44.8N). This difference in temperature patterns has a direct impact on varietal selection, viticulture practices and vinification styles. We have decided to compensate lower latitude with higher altitude. Every 1000 meters compensates for 6 degrees Centigrade.
WINEMAKING
Viticulture is essentially organic, with goat manure as the only fertilizer, no chemical pesticides and no irrigation. All our vineyards are treillised and canopy is tightly controlled. Grapes are hand-picked and carried in early morning to the nearby winery in small 20kg crates to avoid crushing of the berries. Grape sorting and quality control are done manually and extensively, prior to destemming.
Winemaking is carefully executed and sulfur is used minimally. We only use free-run wine without pressing, and aging is primarily in 500-litre french oak demi-muids. Our French consulting oenologist and the UC Davis trained winemaker are a great combination of experience and talent implementing our vision of maximum elegance and joy into our wines with no compromises, and only using our own grapes.
Winemaking is carefully executed and sulfur is used minimally. We only use free-run wine without pressing, and aging is primarily in 500-litre french oak demi-muids. Our French consulting oenologist and the UC Davis trained winemaker are a great combination of experience and talent implementing our vision of maximum elegance and joy into our wines with no compromises, and only using our own grapes.