Moulin de la Roque, Éric Isnard: immersion in Bandol

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.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

What did you inherit from your father?

Following in his father's footsteps

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.

What is 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.

How do you welcome visitors to the estate?

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…

Discover the wines of Moulin de la Roque directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Moulin de la Roque

Who is Éric Isnard of Moulin de la Roque?

Éric Isnard has chaired this Bandol cooperative since 2015. Trained in viticulture and oenology, he also runs Domaine des Capelaniers, a family estate handed down by his father, where he keeps the Mourvèdre tradition alive.

Which grape defines Moulin de la Roque's Bandol reds?

Mourvèdre. Planted early on this terroir by Éric Isnard's father, this late-ripening variety yields deeply coloured, spicy reds marked by licorice and dark fruit, built to age for a few years.

What style are the Moulin de la Roque rosés?

These are food-friendly rosés rather than light aperitif wines. The Bandol sunshine gives them body, texture and a long finish, making them a fit for a full meal.

Does Moulin de la Roque farm sustainably?

Yes. The cooperative has held the « Vigneron en Développement Durable » label for years. Éric Isnard puts respect for the terroir and environmentally minded viticulture at the core of how the vines are grown.

Can you visit Moulin de la Roque?

Yes. Near Le Castellet, an eco-designed site houses a tasting room open to everyone. It also hosts discovery workshops and, in recent years, electric bike rides through the vine rows.