Napa & Sonoma Winemakers

Michel Rolland

Consulting winemaker · 1947–2026 · Bordeaux and Napa

Pomerol-born Michel Rolland, who died in March 2026, was the world's most famous consulting winemaker. In Napa he advised Harlan Estate, BOND, Dalla Valle, Staglin, Araujo, Bryant and others, and his influence shaped the style of a generation of collectible Cabernet.

Glass of red wine at twilight over an Oakville vineyard

About Michel Rolland

  • Born December 24, 1947 in Libourne and raised at his family's Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol.
  • Graduated from the Bordeaux oenology institute in 1972, where he met his wife and partner, oenologist Dany Rolland.
  • The couple took over a Libourne oenology laboratory in the 1970s; it later analyzed samples for hundreds of French estates a year.
  • Began consulting more widely in the mid-1980s; his first California client was Simi Winery in Sonoma (1985).
  • Became Harlan Estate's consulting oenologist around 1988-1989 and stayed with Bill Harlan's estates, including BOND and Promontory.
  • Appeared prominently in the 2004 documentary Mondovino as a symbol of globalized wine style.
  • Built his own estates and joint ventures in Bordeaux (Châteaux Fontenil and Bertineau Saint-Vincent) and Argentina (Val de Flores, Clos de los Siete, Yacochuya), plus projects in South Africa and Spain.
  • Honored by Wine Spectator in 2016 among the leaders of its 40th-anniversary issue.
  • Died on March 20, 2026, aged 78.

Michel's own wines

  • Château Fontenil and Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent (Bordeaux)
  • Val de Flores, Clos de los Siete and Yacochuya (Argentina)

Napa and Sonoma estates Michel advised

Rolland consulted for more than 150 estates worldwide; these are the Napa and Sonoma clients reported over the years.

Notable wines and scores

  • 2016 Harlan Estate Proprietary Red: 100 pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown / Wine Advocate
  • 2016 BOND Vecina: 100 pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown / Wine Advocate
  • 2016 Promontory: 100 pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown / Wine Advocate
  • 2002 Harlan Estate Proprietary Red: 100 pts, Robert Parker / Wine Advocate

Recognition

  • Wine Spectator 40th anniversary Leaders honoree, 2016

Taste the wines Michel shaped

Many of these wineries are by appointment only, and some sell only to their mailing lists. Tell us which wines you would like to taste and your chauffeur will book what is possible and build the day around it. See our Napa Valley wine tours and Sonoma County wine tours, or plan a private tour.

Sources

decanter.com · falstaff.com · en.ilsole24ore.com · en.wikipedia.org · thewineindependent.com · winejournal.robertparker.com · winespectator.com

Taste these wines with Bien

Many of these wineries are by appointment only. Tell us the wines you want to taste and your chauffeur books what is possible and builds the day around it.

Private six-hour tours with your own chauffeur and luxury SUV for up to 6 guests, from $600 plus gratuity. Bottled water and tasting appointments included.

Plan My Wine Tour

Prefer to talk? Call or text 833-915-2436.

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