Canaan Khoury used to help his father Nadim in preparing wine at home, a tradition practiced by many Christian families in Palestine. Since then, Canaan had the dream of starting a winery and producing high quality wine that will put Palestine on the ‘wine map’ globally. He has seen how high-quality Palestinian grapes are being used by Israel to promote the exquisite taste of ‘Holy Land’ wine. After finishing his Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and studying winemaking extensively, Canaan was ready to launch the Taybeh Winery in 2013 along with other members of his family. Since then, they have strived to produce and maintain a high-quality product that mimics their standards in of their beer micro-brewery, which is a boutique business that puts quality above quantity. Canaan explains how the grapes used for their wine are sourced from the vineyards of local farmers in Aboud, Birzeit, and Taybeh. He tries to ensure that the grapes that are rainfed and grown using only organic fertilizers (baladi). Taybeh Winery is also introducing table grapes, of which Palestine has 21 indigenous varieties, to the winemaking process and are preparing a blended wine. The first line of production is called Nadim, after Taybeh founder Nadim Khoury but also referring to Um Kulthoum’s song, Al Atlal, where she refers to Nadim as the drinking companion.
Taybeh winery is open for visitors and Canaan is eager to raise awareness amongst Palestinians on the science of winemaking and start a culture of wine tasting and appreciation. Taybeh wines are available in hotels, shops and restaurants in Palestine and currently being exported to the US and France.
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Volunteering Opportunities: Grape harvest (seasonal).
Other Services: Tour of the winery, hosting groups.