The Aurora winery, in the eastern Mediterranean mountains of Batroun, Lebanon...
New guest from Lebanon on the Yellow Road
The Aurora winery is located 60 kilometres north of Beirut, in the eastern Mediterranean mountains of Batroun. Founded in 2006 by a passionate oenologist from the small village of Rachkedde, the winery began as a weekend hobby. Today, Aurora is a boutique winery using modern and eco-friendly techniques, producing up to 20,000 bottles of wine per year.
Batroun, Bhamdoun and the Bekaa Valley. Each region is known for its amazing quality of red, white and sparkling wines.
Yellow Road Questions answered by Andrea Geara, Aurora winery
1 - Why is your vineyard called “Aurora Winery”
The name Aurora is inspired by the village where the vines are grown "Aoura" in the northern mediterranean mountains of Lebanon. Aurora Also refers to the first light in the sky before sunrise, the dawn or l'Aurore in Latin.
2 - Andrea, please tell us a little about yourself
I am the daughter of the founder and winemaker, so the second generation responsible for Aurora Winery.
I have always been interested in winemaking, joining the harvest every fall. As I grew older I was inspired by wine as a product of passion, and I joined the team end of 2014 after I decided to shift my career from social development.
Back then, we were producing close to 7000 bottles per year, we were a garage wine. In 2015, My father and I made the decision to grow Aurora in a very solid and stable way. Ever since, we have been growing to produce around 20,000 bottles a year.
3 - Rachkideh is already Northern Lebanon, and not the Bekaa Valley. What is the difference between the wines of Northern Lebanon and the wines of the Bekaa Valley?
First, we are a mountain wine, as opposed to Bekaa which is a valley or a plane. Our microclimate differs quite a bit. Most importantly, the mountain enjoys a steady change in temperature between night and day, temperatures do not vary too much throughout the day. We also do not experience frost or extreme temperatures, because although we are at 900m altitude, we are still close to the mediterranean. This is ideal for steady slow grape maturity, which helps us develop a nice complexity in the wines even though our yields might be lower. Batroun, the northern wine region, is known to produce boutique wines, wines that are hard to find and produce. Similar to how we compare Napa and Oregon, or Burgundy and Bordeaux. Winery sizes are relatively smaller. In addition, Aurora Winery has a particular style in which we focus on highlighting our terroir. This is done by picking at lower sugar levels to encourage higher acidity and lower alcohol percentages, and through producing single varietals. Because we are on a slope, the vineyards need to be planted on terraces to retain rainwater.
4 - Which tasty traditional food in the Northern Lebanon?
Tebleh, raw kibbe (goat meat) very finely grinded with spices
maakroun bi toum, (Mountain Gnocchi in raw Garlic sauce)
see link
- Tabbouleh of Course
5 - What is your favorite wine (red or white)? And why?
I do not have a single wine that I prefer, because each setting calls for a different wine, but usually my go to wine is Red wine, particularly a good bordeaux blend. Classic, well balanced, and always satisfies my craving. Cabernet Sauvignon, merlot, with a touch of Cabernet Franc sometimes.
6 - List, if possible, a set (gift box) of three or four of your own wines (red and white), which, in your opinion, may be worthy of the presentation of your farm.
What typically represents Aurora are our four main wines. Mainly, our first wine, The Chateau (Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot), Cabernet Franc 100%, Crystal (Chardonnay), Cuvee N (Sauvignon Blanc), and Pinot Noir
7- Share your successes in winemaking: awards, prizes...
Decanter 90 points for the Cabernet Franc at the World wine Awards, Silver Medal
Gold Medal for the Chateau at the Gilbert et Gaillard Tasting
Jeune Talent back when we first started at the local wine tasting in 2009
8 - You can offer the most beautiful view (favorite point) of the vineyards or the surrounding landscape. May I ask you to take one or two photos of your favorite places?
9 - What is your choice for "Yellow Road"?
Aurora Chardonnay, it is our first white wine to be produced. We called it Crystal, because of its clarity and brightness.
10- If it's not a secret, tell us about your plans for the future ....
Our aim is to put Lebanon on the map in the world of wine. Since we started, we have been working on producing unique atypical wines with plenty of character. Therefore, our plan is to continue adding wines to are portfolio that stand out.
Next year we will be producing an oaked Chardonnay, this is a wine we are very excited about.
11 - What white wine producer (from Lebanon or another country) would you recommend for Yellow Road?
I tried a white wine from Austria back in 2018, it was also quite special. It was from Emmerich Knoll I believe it was their Riesling.
Sergey Evtuhov, author of the project "Yellow Road"
