Born into a Bordeaux winemaking family, Michel Rolland grew up on his family’s estate, Chateau Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol. He owns several estates in Bordeaux including Château Bertineau St. Vincent, Château Rolland-Maillet, Château Fontenil, and Château La Grande Clotte and holds the title of cellar master, winemaker, enologist or consultant at around 80 estates throughout Bordeaux. He is known as “the king of the blend,” Rolland and his team take a very active role in vineyard operations and grape selection as well, ensuring quality in all aspects of the winemaking process. In addition to Bordeaux, Italy and Napa, Mr. Rolland also works on wine projects in Argentina, Chile, Israel, India and South Africa.

With a signature style that is known to be fruit-forward and strongly influenced by oak aging, Rolland makes wines that are popular with wine critics and wine drinkers alike. When asked about the Michel Rolland “style,” Mr. Rolland stated, “I do not know what style means. I would be so happy to find a definition,” adding, “I tried all my life to make wine that consumers will like, and my 48 years as an enologist have made me happy.” Rolland’s style, whether he can pin a definition on it or not, has influenced winemaking in France and around the world.