Being the main town
of the Beqaa valley, Lebanon's most important agricultural region, the economy
of Zahlé has long been built on agriculture. Grapes are the area's chief
product, with vineyards forming a prominent feature of the landscape. Vines are
also individually grown on lattice, on many of the older houses' terraces. A
sizable part of the local produce supplies the three wineries present in and
around the town, and the numerous distilleries producing arak, the local liquor
which Zahlé is famous for. In addition to vineyards, cherry, pomegranate, plum
