Jordan

Jordan once had a thriving winemaking tradition, with archaeological discoveries near Petra revealing 82 ancient wine presses. However, the country's wine industry has significantly declined, with vineyards now covering only a fraction—about one-quarter—of the area they did in the late 1990s. Furthermore, only a small portion of the remaining vineyards are used to produce wine. Jordanians, who traditionally prefer Arrack, an aniseed-flavored spirit, over wine, have not been avid wine drinkers. The modern wine industry in Jordan began in 1975 with the establishment of the Haddad distillery company, which now produces Jordan River and Mount Nebo wines. In the mid-1990s, Omar Zumot, a determined entrepreneur, entered the scene with the goal of revitalizing Jordan’s wine industry. He planted three vineyards to produce wines under the Saint-George label, marking a significant development for the sector.