A terroir is the combination of climate and soil type which affect the growth of a vine.

The various terroirs planted by Chateau Belle-Vue have a heritage all their own. Hundreds of kilometers of terraces built by our ancestors remain as a tribute to their dogged perseverance. These men and women worked over the course of centuries to tame the land for viticulture. These terraces range in altitude from 1000 to 1300 meters above sea level.

Today, we at Chateau Belle-Vue reap the benefits of their labor. It is widely accepted that terraced land is ideal for growing grapes because soil drainage remains consistently excellent. Another factor in the ideal situation our vines enjoy stems from the fact that our valley is not directly open to the Mediterranean Sea . Though surrounding areas experience frequently foggy conditions during certain times of year, our land rarely sees fog; therefore, ailments like powdery mildew are virtually non-existent during our long growing season.

The soil itself is calcarious, gravelly and clayish-again, well suited to growing grapes. The ability of the soil in our valley to retain nutrients, called the Cation Exchange Capacity (or CEC), has been measured at levels significantly higher than the soil samples taken from Napa Valley and Bordeaux . A high CEC measurement reflects a high quality soil which is reflected in the intensity of flavor found in fruits or vegetables grown there.

Chateau Belle-Vue consists of four distinct terroirs:

The Jeayyel is north-east facing, sun-drenched land. Its altitude, at 1100-1200 meters, makes it medium level for Chateau Belle-Vue. Cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon are the primary grapes grown in the Jeayyel.

The Jel el Aadi lands are south-west facing, and are also located at about 1100-1200 meters. Many of our oldest olive trees are found on this property. Cabernet sauvignon and merlot vines thrive there.

The Malloul terroir lies just down the mountain, under Chateau Belle-Vue's spring-fed lake. Cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc vines grow on these lower terraces, amidst the olive trees and the umbrella pines.

The Kaffe terroir, also called the Prince lands, are the lowest south-west facing vineyards of Chateau Belle-Vue. It is planted exclusively with syrah vines.