Heya Wines, founded by Claudine Lteif and Michelle Chami, is more than a winery: it is a movement. Heya means “she” in Arabic, and the name reflects their commitment to amplifying women’s voices in Lebanon’s male-dominated wine industry. Both share a passion for natural wine and ancestral winemaking techniques. Their wines made in the mountains of North Lebanon are a tribute to heritage, resilience, and the artistry of women winemakers. With a minimal-intervention approach, Heya Wines focuses on purity, authenticity, and sustainability, crafting small-batch wines that honor Lebanon’s rich viticultural history.

Claudine Lteif and Michelle Chami are part of a new generation of Lebanese winemakers, who produce miraculously delicious wines despite working under difficult political and socio-economic circumstances. This new generation is focused on Lebanon’s identity, native grapes, and on revisiting the past while creating a new future simultaneously.

In a small country with a long history of wine production, yet not as well-known on the international stage, there is room to experiment. While the French wine tradition has influenced the country’s wine industry for the past 200 years, in recent years, especially the younger generation of winemakers, such as Claudine and Michelle, has placed more emphasis on Lebanon’s strong traditions, specializing in the country’s indigenous grapes and adopting more natural and sustainable methods of wine production.


Heya produces natural, non-fined, non-filtered wines with minimal sulfur and low intervention. What motivated Claudine and Michelle to make their own wines, was the feeling that women were not appreciated at all: “Many of the women we work with wake up at 3 am, cook, clean, prepare everything for their families, then leave the house at 4 am to harvest in the fields. They return home and still attend to their families without a break, and they are certainly not appreciated. Women are paid less than men. Therefore, we decided that for our wines, we want to pay them the same. We want to show them that we are grateful for all their hard work. We want more women to join us in the fields and be surrounded by people who appreciate them. We listen to their stories, learn about their backgrounds, and share laughter and song together. We have developed strong relationships with these women, and they eagerly seize every opportunity to be with us whenever we need help.”

Past Event
During Copenhagen Cooking 2024, we hosted a special edition of the popular HOUSEWIFE ROAST with Heya Wines.
Inspired by their wines, the diverse diaspora culture and cuisine of the Caribbean, The Caribbean Housewife crafted a creative and delightful plant-based dinner, focusing on Arab influences within Caribbean cuisine. The dinner consisted of five courses paired with fantastic wines from Heya:
 
Apple Ceviche
A tangy and refreshing starter with green apples, deep fried plantain, and fresh lime juice.
 
Sambousek
Deep fried savory pastry filled with sweet potato, habanero chili, and green peas.
 
End of Summer Fattoush
Grilled seasonal stone fruits such as apricot, nectarine, and peach combined with fresh mint and a lovely sumac vinaigrette.
 
Jackfruit Fatteh
Umami rich dish served with pita bread, roasted aubergine, and zesty pomegranate.
 
Knafeh
Our humble rendition of the famous Middle Eastern dessert created with shredded phyllo dough (kataifi), cashew cream, and a delicious passion fruit syrup.
 

Resources
 
Heya Wines
 
Bon Appetit
 
Food and Wine
 
The Guardian