In September, Elias Maalouf experienced a devastating Israeli airstrike that destroyed much of Chateau Rayak winery in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. He narrowly escaped death, as the bombing occurred shortly after he and his father left for lunch. The attack resulted in substantial losses, including over 40,000 wine bottles and $158,600 in damages. Since October 2023, escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has devastated the region, with over 3,900 deaths and over a million people displaced, highlighting the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
Maalouf lost about 40,000 bottles and 158,600 in damages. He had to leave 60 tons of grapes to wither on the vine.
An hour after the bombing, Maalouf returned to the winery and started repairs. He swept up broken bottles and collected broken equipment.
You always enjoy the smell of your own wine, but that day it was the worst smell I could imagine. It was the smell of my loss.
The increase in fighting across the Lebanese border between Hezbollah and Israel started on 8 October 2023, after the Iran-backed group had launched missiles into Israel.
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