Michel Rolland

Born in France in 1947 about four hundred meters away from the Pomerol appellation, it is no wonder Michel Rolland has become on the of world’s leading wine consultants. He spent his days of childhood going to school and working in the family vineyard, ‘Bon Pasteur’, where his father introduced him and his brother to viticulture. Michel studied Technical Studies at the Agricultural College and School of Viticulture in the Faculty of Oenology where he Dany in 1968, his wife whom he has since worked with. From starting in a small laboratory in Libourne in 1973 to traveling around vineyards giving advice, he was met with some hostility due to his scientific approach. Michel Rolland’s philosophy is based on utilizing advanced technological developments in viticulture and winemaking to increase the quality, while enhancing the characteristics of the ‘terroir’.In 1979 Michel took over the family estate with his mother but running both the laboratory in Libourne and the family estate in Pomerol and nurturing his career as a consultant oenologist proved challenging. He was invited to study in California and so his career as a consultant began. It has sent him to four continents and over a hundred and fifty different estates. Dany managed the laboratory and the estates while Michel was away consulting. The eldest of their children took over the management and finance of the family business, with the youngest using her talents as a graphic artist to enhance the image of the company. His entire life and that of his families’ is devoted to wine - their passion.‘What is bring is a range of experience and a span of reference that other people here, however talented they may be, do not have. A consultant cannot know everything. I am here to give advice with an open mind to the resident winemaker. So the personality of the people is essential. It’s fundamental. If you have no contact with the people, it’s impossible. I am no magician.’ Michel Rolland