Michel Rolland, the modern oenologist

Start of story

Michel Rolland was born in Libourne into a family of winegrowers at Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol. He attended the winegrower and oenology school at Latour Blanche then the oenology faculty at the University of Bordeaux where he met Dany, his future wife.

In 1973, Dany and Michel joined forces with Mr. and Mrs. Chevrier from whom they bought out all of the shares in the Jean Chevrier laboratory.

It was in 1979, after the death of his father, that Michel and his partner took charge of the family estate including Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol, Château Rolland Maillet in Saint Emilion and Château Bertineau Saint Vincent in Pomerol de Lalande.

The success story

His strength was his desire to move and advance the old techniques still used in the vineyards. He asked the owners to harvest later, to move the grapes less. Work in the cellar is just as important as work in the vineyards. In fact, many cellars are dilapidated. He was convinced that great things would happen as the field evolved. And he was right!

Success was achieved and “French-style” quality became extremely demanded.

They then acquired Château Fontenil in 1986, to expand the family estate. He is developing several international projects. The “clos de los siete” in Argentina, “Mariflor” and “Val de Flores” still in Argentina, “Good news” in South Africa.

Whether for his work in his châteaux or as a consultant, oenologist Michel Rolland is the first “flying oenologist”. It represents the changes and developments in viticulture and winemaking.

Consulting then becomes a real job for him. To date, Michel Rolland advises 150 estates in 14 different countries, most of them in France (Château l’Evangile, Château Figeac, Château La Conseillante, etc.) but also in the United States (Harlan, Staglin, Screaning Eagle, etc.). ..) in South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Spain, India, Italy,…

Added to this, 400 wine estates use the services of the “Rolland & Associés” laboratory in Pomerol for analyzes and advice with Dany and her oenologist colleagues.

Family heritage

His daughters joined him. Stéphanie is responsible for management and administration. Marie is responsible for marketing, communication and the image of Michel Rolland in France and elsewhere.