Michel Rolland and Javier Galarreta, Crafting Excellence in Wine.
Dubbed ‘The Flying Winemaker,’ ‘First Consultant to Make Wine in India,’ and the ‘Savior of Malbec in Argentina,’ Michel Rolland’s reputations precede him. With an illustrious career spanning over 200 wineries in 22 countries, Rolland is undeniably one of the most influential wine consultants of our time. Known for his hands-on approach, Rolland humorously claims to have tasted more grapes than anyone else in the world.
In 2010, leveraging his extensive experience and well-honed philosophy, this legendary oenologist launched an ambitious project in Spain: Rolland & Galarreta. Partnering with Javier Galarreta, a prominent Spanish wine entrepreneur, the duo set out to push the boundaries of winemaking excellence.
We had the privilege of sitting down with these two icons during Sligro’s annual Wine Experience for an exclusive interview. In this article, we explore their remarkable journey of collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for the future of wine.
Adaptability and Quality: The Philosophy of Legendary Oenologist Michel Rolland
Michel Rolland, born and raised in Pomerol, one of Bordeaux’s most revered winemaking regions, was immersed in the world of wine from an early age. Surrounded by vineyards, it was almost inevitable that he would pursue studies in enology. However, unlike many of his contemporaries, Rolland approached winemaking with an eye toward evolution rather than adherence to tradition.
Fifty years ago, winemaking often followed a rigid formula—repeating the same processes year after year without much consideration for the unique conditions of the grapes or the weather. Rolland stood apart, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a passion rooted deeply in the vineyard.
His connection to the land has always been at the core of his philosophy. Rolland has spent countless hours walking through vineyards and is known for his hands-on approach, tasting of grapes during harvest walking for kilos upon kilos—something virtually unheard of half a century ago. For him, crafting wine is not about rigid formulas or recipes; it’s about adapting to nature, understanding its nuances, and responding to the ever-changing demands of the market.
What began as a family tradition in Pomerol blossomed into a distinguished global career spanning five decades. Starting with wine analysis in his early years, Rolland has grown into a world-renowned consultant, advising wineries in 22 countries. From the renowned estates of Napa Valley like Harlen Estate to the challenging climates of India, Argentina, and Croatia, his impact has been transformative.
“Wine is good or it isn’t,” Rolland stated during the interview. “But it should always tell a story.” This guiding principle has shaped his illustrious career. From revitalizing Argentina’s Malbec to elevating Croatia’s Plavac Mali into a wine of international acclaim, Rolland’s work reflects a profound respect for both tradition and progress.
Of course, a strength of as an oenologist is Roland’s embrace of technical innovation, but Rolland’s legacy goes far beyond that. His contributions to the wine industry are deeply personal, rooted in his relationships with the people behind the wines. Rolland often emphasizes his curiosity about different cultures and his desire to connect with others as a key motivator in his work. For him, winemaking is not just about the final product; it’s about the human stories, traditions, and collaborations that bring each bottle to life.
Visionary entorepreneur, Javier Galarreta
Javier Galarreta’s path to wine was quite different. Originally a lawyer, Galarreta established his first wine export company in 1993, focusing on Rioja wines. In 2001, he expanded his portfolio with Spanish Fine Wines, which introduced a diverse selection of Spanish regions to international markets. His vision to elevate Spanish wines led him to Rolland in 2009. After proposing a collaborative project, Rolland quickly saw the potential, and the two launched their first wines under the Rolland & Galarreta label in 2010.
Their partnership reflects not just their expertise but also their shared goal: to place Spanish wines firmly on the global map while respecting the traditions and diversity of the country’s vineyards.
Rolland & Galarreta
Rolland & Galarreta is a groundbreaking partnership that combines French expertise with Spanish authenticity, producing wines that are crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Rolland & Galarreta introduced optical sorting—a high-tech method of selecting only the best grapes—to Rioja. This innovative step was previously uncommon in the region and demonstrated their commitment to precision. Utilizing traditional Spanish grape varieties and innovative winemaking techniques, their portfolio showcases exceptional wines from Rioja, Rueda, and Ribera del Duero—each characterized by elegance, complexity, and aging potential.
At the core of Rolland & Galarreta’s style is a pursuit of balance: power and finesse, tradition and modernity. However, this vision did not come without its challenges. When Michel Rolland first began working in Rueda, he was dissatisfied with the state of the vineyards and the prevailing winemaking practices. To address this, he made critical adjustments to vineyard management and tried the totally new style of the wine.
The result was a departure from the standard style of the time. The Rueda Verdejo now offers a fresh, vibrant, and distinctive take on the classic white wine in the region, while their Ribera del Duero combines the depth and richness of Tempranillo with the elegance of Merlot—a French variety carefully integrated into the blend. Together, these wines not only elevate the quality of Spanish winemaking but also challenge international perceptions of what Spanish wines can achieve.
For more insights into the tasting profiles of their wines, be sure to explore our detailed wine-tasting notes in this article.
Commitment to Sustainability
Rolland & Galarreta’s dedication to sustainability extends far beyond their commitment to producing high-quality wines. When the project launched in 2010, the wine industry was just beginning to confront the growing impacts of climate change. The duo’s remarkable foresight led them to strategically select high-altitude, cool-climate vineyards—an approach that has proven invaluable as rising temperatures increasingly challenge traditional winemaking regions.
Fifty years ago, harvesting 30 hectares of grapes would take 17 to 18 days. Today, due to climate change, the similar harvst has to be completed in just four days. It underscores how drastically the climate has changed, demanding greater adaptability in viticulture, but there are resouces including human and knowledge. The commitment to sustainability aligns with their philosophy of balancing environmental responsibility with innovation. By focusing on preserving the natural essence of their vineyards while utilizing forward-thinking techniques, Rolland & Galarreta has created a portfolio that exemplifies both ecological integrity and exceptional craftsmanship.
Conclusion
The success of Rolland & Galarreta is a testament to the complementary strengths of its founders. Javier Galarreta expertly oversees the marketing and commercial aspects of the business, while Michel Rolland focuses on the technical artistry of winemaking. Together, they have created wines that embody the richness of Spain’s vineyards while proving that tradition and modernity can coexist in harmony.
For wine enthusiasts, Rolland & Galarreta represents more than just a bottle of wine—it’s an invitation to experience the future of Spanish winemaking. Crafted with vision, integrity, and a profound respect for the land, their wines are a celebration of what’s possible when expertise and passion come together.
This event was covered by our own Kazumi Uejo , Laura Heijs, and Niels Aarts and written by Kazumi Uejo. We would like to thank Rolland & Galarreta, in particular Michel and Javier, for sharing these fascinating stories, in particular. We also thank to Sligro and the team for this great event. All mentioned wines and wineries are available through Sligro’s Horeca portfolio, which also provides direct account management and support.
Picture credits: Sligro and Dutch Wine Apprentice.