Portraits of winemakers

MOULIN DE LA ROQUE, ÉRIC ISNARD: IMMERSION IN BANDOL

ric and the Legacy of Domaine des Capelaniers: A Passion for Bandol Wine

A Lifelong Passion for Wine

Éric has always been immersed in the world of wine. "As a child, I dreamed of taking over the family vineyard." This driven wine enthusiast did not hesitate, once he obtained his Brevet de Technicien Supérieur Agricole (BTSA) in viticulture and oenology, to join his father at Domaine des Capelaniers, a 16-hectare family vineyard located in the Bandol appellation.

Éric's father distinguished himself by planting Mourvèdre in the Bandol terroir. When his father passed on the estate, Éric chose to continue this legacy: "I followed in my father's footsteps because I truly wanted to promote this terroir to which I am deeply attached." This commitment to Bandol earned Éric his appointment as president of Moulin de la Roque in early 2015, a fitting tribute to his father.

Moulin de la Roque: 198 Producers in AOC Bandol

Founded in 1950, the Moulin de la Roque cooperative brings together 198 producers across over 350 hectares of vineyards in the Bandol and Côtes de Provence appellations. Since taking on the role of president, Éric has applied the same guiding principles that govern his professional activity at Domaine des Capelaniers: "Respect for the terroir, product quality, and commitment to sustainable viticulture." Moulin de la Roque has also been awarded the "Vigneron en Développement Durable" label for several years.

In 2016, the cooperative produced 9,600 hectoliters of wine, including 80% rosé, 15% red, and 5% white. Éric emphasizes highlighting the distinctive characteristics of the appellation: robust, full-bodied rosés with a beautiful length on the palate, and red wines with spicy notes of black fruits and licorice, offering good aging potential. "Our vineyard benefits from maximum sunlight, allowing us to produce grapes with excellent maturity, resulting in expressive and powerful wines," Éric points out.

Electric Bike Tours in the Vineyards

Thanks to its location and idyllic climate, Bandol has significant oenotouristic potential. This has not escaped Éric’s attention, although he prefers the term "vinotourism." In 2012, a semi-buried winery was constructed according to eco-environmental standards at the foot of the village of Castellet. This site houses a cellar for aging and bottling Moulin de la Roque wines (harvest reception and winemaking occur in La Cadière d’Azur), as well as a tasting room open to the public.

Throughout the year, Moulin de la Roque offers "wine tasting and discovery workshops" to immerse visitors in the Bandol terroir. For the past three years, they have also provided electric bike tours through the vineyards, enriched with anecdotes about the soils and grape varieties. This is a unique activity within the AOC Bandol…