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The Story
of wata
FOUR GENERATIONS AND COUNTING
In the 1960’s, our grandfather Naoum Khalife built a house surrounded by apple orchards in Wata El Jawz. He wanted his children to grow up around nature so that they could run wild and free. They overcame the ghosts of the Lebanese Civil War by spending their days cycling, hiking, and listening to music. Their children (us) were born in the 80s in Wata, where they spent time with friends, climbing trees, and picking apples. Today, the orchard remains a playground for our children who, like us, cherish the warm Wata earth and the Mediterranean sun reflecting from its apples.
the timeline story
about WATA
WATA’s story is loaded with history and heritage. That spans from the moment our elders chose Wata El Jawz as an outpost for them to the moment that our cidermakers took the baton.
1960s
The Orchard
The house was built in Wata El Jawz and the apple orchard was planted
2011
Apple crisis in Lebanon
A surplus that led to the devaluation of apple prices
2016
Learning the Craft
Soha and Ramzi decide to go to Gloucester to learn about the craft of making cider
2017
Explorations
First micro-fermentation and recipe development
2018
The First Batch
Cidery is installed and the first vintage is pressed
2019
We Start
WATA original is launched on the Lebanese market
2020
First Awards
WATA is recognized amongst the top ciders in the world
2021
We Export
WATA travels the world
the Makers
Inspired by our childhood and family values, we have committed ourselves to this long and demanding journey. What drives us is the thrill to craft a local product with an international language, to put Lebanon on the map of best cider producers in the world for the first time in its history, and to find a lasting solution to the apple crisis at home.We’re slowly realizing the dream that started from a love for our land and apples, and building a community around WATA that loves terroir and craftsmanship: one we intend to nurture from our premises and beyond.
