The bombs on Beirut weigh like wounds, and we can't help but admire the beauty of Lebanon and, above all, the beauty of its people. We visited recently and still carry with us the warmth of people like that of Maher Harb, a mathematician who lived in Paris for a long time and then felt the need to do something for himself, his community, and his country.
With memories of his grandfather and the mountains of their home village in his heart, he decided to return to planting high-altitude vineyards and revive some local varieties that had virtually disappeared. We discovered this vinery while searching for biodynamic wine producers in Lebanon, where Maher is considered a true master.
To find him, we set out into the mountains north of Beirut toward the village of Nehla, along a winding road that at times resembled a mule track. While wondering if we were on the right path, we began our own, almost spiritual journey into the ancestral relationship between people and vineyards.
Italy and Lebanon may seem like distant countries, but when it comes to biodynamic wines, the distance is erased. Maria Vittori and Maher Harb, of the Sept Wine winery, have a much deeper bond than they might seem and share a philosophy of life.
I would say that a vineyard at about 900 meters above sea level with this road can certainly be described as "heroic." "I planted the vineyards and built the winery as a tribute to my family, and in particular to my grandfather. I'm a mathematician and was living in France when, at a certain point, I felt this was the right thing to do, and today I'm happy."
Maher called this choice "A Journey Back to the Roots," which began in 2017 after years of reflection, a journey that continues to involve an ever-increasing number of people.
Such an extreme choice could only be based on the valorization of local grape varieties, often recovered from plants that had climbed trees, and on a philosophy of total environmental respect like that of biodynamics.
Today, 5,000 people come each year, walking these paths, to visit the winery and sample his mother's cuisine, which draws inspiration from ancient Lebanese recipes but has a contemporary feel.
"In 2025, 70 Italians also came to visit me, and you are the first in 2026." Like a good mathematician, Maher has all the updated visitor data on his phone, along with statistics on their provenance.
"My mathematical side and my spiritual side led me to name this winery Sept, which means seven. And seven is my magic number, tying me to my grandfather."
Tasting his wines was a true journey into the depths of Lebanon and the Mediterranean that unites us, and we resolved to continue to share experiences and experiences.
In these days of senseless bombing, the story of Maher, and of other friends whose heroic deeds of commitment and love we will recount, seems even more stark in the juxtaposition of dreams and nightmares. And it makes me wonder if we're human because we seek to preserve beauty and harmony, or if we're just impossible dreamers.
Thank you, Maher, for what you've done, and I apologize to you and so many other Lebanese for failing to stop the madness of those who are destroying your/our dreams.
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