Gaston Hochar and the Founding of Chateau Musar
In 1930, at just 20 years old, Gaston Hochar founded Chateau Musar. He drew inspiration from Lebanon’s 6,000‑year winemaking tradition and from his travels in Bordeaux. His “wines with noblesse” impressed senior officers during the French mandate of the 1920s. Major Ronald Barton of Château Langoa‑Barton served in Lebanon during World War II and became a close friend. He strengthened the links between Chateau Musar and Bordeaux, and those ties remain strong today.
Serge Hochar’s Training and Winemaking Vision
Serge Hochar, Gaston’s eldest son, first trained as a civil engineer. He later chose to study oenology. With his father’s encouragement, he studied under Emile Peynaud at the University of Oenology in Bordeaux.
He told his father, “I want to make the wine my way. I want it to be known worldwide — and I want you to quit!” Serge took over as Chateau Musar’s winemaker in 1959 when Gaston senior stepped aside. He spent 18 years refining the formula for Chateau Musar Red. In 1984, Decanter Magazine named him its first “Man of the Year” for his dedication to producing superb wines during Lebanon’s Civil War (1975–1990).
The Next Generation: Gaston and Marc
Serge had two sons, Gaston and Marc. Both studied engineering and later worked in the banking sector. Gaston now manages the daily operations of the Chateau Musar winery. Marc oversees its commercial activities.
Ronald Hochar’s Early Work at Musar
“My brother looked after the liquid; I look after the liquidity.” Like Serge, Ronald Hochar began working at Musar from an early age. Both brothers washed bottles and worked at the winery before choosing different paths in the business. Ronald worked from 7am to 5pm in Ghazir and then spent his evenings at the Musar shop in Beirut. “We earned 5 Lebanese pounds a day,” he says. “I learned everything about selling from my father.”
Ronald’s Role During the War and His Family
