Al Kasr to expand its winery in Mtein

Ango Trade for Alcoholic Drinks, manufacturer of Al Kasr wine, arak, vodka, vinegar and rose water, will expand its factory in Mtein in May 2016.

Christian Khairallah, General Manager, said: “Our expansion is to increase production and surge our exports.”

Investment in the project is estimated at $5 million, including the cost of the land. Khairallah said that the funds invested until now have been personal, but they intend to take a subsidized loan through Kafalat to finalize the project.

The expansion will increase the space of the factory from 650 to 2,000 square meters. The project will include a cave and a 4,000 m2 garden to receive visitors.

The production capacity of the winery will triple to 1.2 million bottles per year. Production of other alcoholic products will reach three million bottles per year. The company leases land plots in Bekaa to provide the factory with the grapes. Around 600 tons of grapes are used currently, which will triple after the winery’s expansion.

The expansion will create 20 full time jobs. Khairallah said that the company will resort to the aid of foreign experts for fermentation and to control the whole production phase.

Ango Trade exports around ten percent of its production to Europe and Arab countries. The winery distributes its own brand and sells wine for other companies that pack them under its private label.