Lebanon’s Vinifest returns as local wineries face uncertain future
The Middle East’s biggest wine industry showcase returns for its 13th edition with its first full physical event in three years, amid Lebanon's harsh economic conditions.
This October saw the return of Lebanon’s much-beloved Vinifest, the Middle East’s largest gathering of regional winemakers, with dozens of small and large wineries eager to present their wares to industry insiders and the general public.
Despite being unable to hold physical events since 2019 due to restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic on travel and large social gatherings, the 13th edition — with support from the Netherlands, USAID and the QOOT Lebanon Agrifood Innovation Cluster — is their largest yet, bringing together more businesses and eventgoers than ever before at the Beirut Hippodrome.
“I started in 2004,” Vinifest organizer Nada Farah told Al-Monitor. “[At] that time, there were not more than 10 wineries. Now we have more than 30, and the program is very rich with workshops [and] masterclasses.”
She said, “I am happy to be doing this event again. We are back to show the good face of Lebanon. The cultural part of the event is much more important than before.”
