Our Wines & Winemaking

​

What makes Lebanese natural wine special?

Lebanese natural wines reflect the country's diverse landscapes, high-altitude vineyards, indigenous grape varieties and rich winemaking heritage. Producers such as Mersel Wine and Heya Wines combine traditional techniques with minimal-intervention winemaking, creating wines that tell the story of their land and the people behind them.

 

What are indigenous Lebanese grape varieties?

Lebanon is home to distinctive grape varieties including Merwah, Obeideh, Marini and Daw Al Amar. These grapes are an important part of Lebanon's winemaking heritage and feature in a growing range of contemporary Lebanese natural wines.

​

Why are high-altitude vineyards important?

Many Lebanese vineyards grow at high elevations, where cooler temperatures, particularly at night, can help preserve grape acidity and support slower ripening. At Mersel Wine, high-altitude vineyards contribute to the character and freshness of wines made from both indigenous and internationally known grape varieties.

​​

What is minimal-intervention or natural wine?

Natural wine is made with as little intervention as possible, allowing the grapes, vineyard and fermentation process to express their true character. Think of it like sourdough breadmaking. Just as sourdough relies on naturally occurring yeasts rather than commercial yeast, many natural wines ferment spontaneously using the wild yeasts found on grapes and in the winery. Minimal-intervention winemaking generally avoids unnecessary additives and processing. Many natural wines are unfined and unfiltered, with little or no added sulphites (SO₂), allowing the wine to retain more of its natural character, texture and individuality. The result is wine that reflects its origins: the grape variety, the land, the climate and the hands that made it. Nothing unnecessary, just honest wine with a story to tell. 

​

What are Lebanese amphora and Georgian qvevri?

Amphora and qvevri are traditional clay vessels used for fermenting or ageing wine. Georgian qvevri are especially associated with the ancient Georgian tradition of winemaking, while Lebanese amphora reflect another expression of clay-vessel winemaking. Mersel and Heya use these vessels for selected wines, creating different opportunities for fermentation, skin contact and maturation.

 

What is pét-nat wine?

Pét-nat, short for pétillant naturel, is naturally sparkling wine commonly produced using the ancestral method. Wine is bottled before fermentation finishes, allowing naturally produced carbon dioxide to create bubbles inside the bottle. Mersel Wine's LebNat range celebrates this method through distinctive Lebanese sparkling wines. The LebNat Gold and the LebNat Rose also are made using the Lebanese indigenous variety, Merwah.

​

What is orange or skin-contact wine?

Orange wine is generally a white wine made with extended contact between grape juice and skins during fermentation. This can develop deeper colour, additional texture and tannins. Our collection includes Lebanese skin-contact expressions such as Mersel's Phoenix and Jaffa Crush, and Dar Richi's Helem.

​

​

Our Family & Producers

 

Who is behind Olea & Vine?

Olea & Vine was founded by three Chami siblings, Jasmine, Jason and Ethan, to share a piece of their Lebanese heritage with Australia. Their parents are behind Mersel Wine and Heya Wines in Lebanon, connecting the business directly to the vineyards, winemakers and people behind the bottles.

​

Which Lebanese wine producers does Olea & Vine represent?

Olea & Vine brings together wines from Mersel Wine, Heya Wines and Dar Richi. The portfolio celebrates independent winemaking, high-altitude vineyards, indigenous grape varieties and meaningful stories of family, community and heritage.

 

What makes Heya Wines a women-led wine project?

Heya Wines is a women-led Lebanese winemaking project founded with a commitment to recognising women's contributions to wine production. Its approach celebrates community, equal pay, visibility and respect for the women whose work contributes to every vintage.

 

Why partner with Olea & Vine?

We bring more than wine to your list. As a family-led Australian importer and distributor of Lebanese wines, we work directly with the people behind the bottles, sharing distinctive natural wines, indigenous grape varieties and the stories that make them special. From discovering new wines to understanding their origins and winemaking methods, we're here to help Australian restaurants, bars and bottle shops introduce something different to their customers.​

​​

​

Ordering & Delivery

 

Who is the current Australian importer of Mersel Wine and Heya Wines in Australia?

Mersel Wine and Heya Wines were previously represented in Australia by Vins du Liban. Today, Olea & Vine, a family-led Australian wine importer and distributor founded by the three Chami siblings, proudly represents both wineries.

As the children of the winemakers behind Mersel Wine and Heya Wines, we are continuing our family's journey by bringing these distinctive Lebanese natural wines directly to Australian restaurants, bars, bottle shops and wine lovers. If you previously purchased Mersel Wine or Heya Wines through Vins du Liban, you can now contact Olea & Vine for current availability, wholesale pricing, trade orders and delivery enquiries across Australia.

​

Where can I find Lebanese natural wine in Australia?

Olea & Vine imports and distributes Lebanese natural and minimal-intervention wines in Australia. Explore our collection from Mersel Wine, Heya Wines and Dar Richi on our Natural Wines page, where you can select bottles and submit an enquiry about availability and pricing.

 

Does Olea & Vine supply restaurants, bars and bottle shops?

Yes. Olea & Vine supplies Lebanese natural wines to eligible licensed hospitality and retail businesses across Australia. Restaurants, bars and bottle shops can explore our portfolio and submit a trade order enquiry through our website.

 

Can individual wine lovers enquire about your wines?

Yes. Individual customers can browse our Natural Wines collection and submit an enquiry about the bottles that interest them. Our team will provide information about availability, pricing and delivery options.

 

Does Olea & Vine deliver wine across Australia?

Olea & Vine arranges wine delivery within eligible NSW areas and interstate, subject to applicable delivery restrictions and service availability. Delivery costs and estimated timeframes depend on the destination and order details. Please refer to our Shipping & Delivery Policy for current conditions.

 

How do I place a trade order?

Visit our Trade Order page, select the wines and quantities you're interested in, and submit your business details. We'll review your request and confirm current stock, trade pricing, delivery arrangements and invoicing information.