Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais, France
Winemaker Brice Laffond
Located at the heart of the prestigious Moulin-à-Vent appellation in northern Beaujolais, Château du Moulin-à-Vent has been rooted in this historic landscape since 1732. The estate takes its name from the iconic windmill dating back to 1550 and farms 30 hectares of vineyards surrounding the château and the hamlet of Les Thorins, one of the appellation's most celebrated sectors.
The château lies at the heart of the estate
In 2009, the Parinet family acquired the estate, ushering in a new era under the leadership of Édouard Parinet and winemaker Brice Laffond. Their vision has been to restore Château du Moulin-à-Vent to its historic prominence by focusing on the region's greatest asset: its exceptional terroirs. Through meticulous vineyard work, low yields and a commitment to expressing individual sites, the estate has become one of the leading producers in Beaujolais.
The estate has developed under the stewardship of Édouard Parinet
The vineyards are planted predominantly to Gamay Noir, with vines averaging 50 years of age and some parcels containing centenarian vines. The estate's old vines are farmed with great care, including manual harvesting, massal selection and horse-drawn cultivation in selected plots. Since 2013, synthetic products have been eliminated from the vineyards, with organic conversion beginning in 2021 as part of a broader commitment to soil health, biodiversity and long-term sustainability.
The hills of Moulin-à-Vent
A defining feature of the estate is its focus on six key terroirs located within a 300-metre radius of the château: Le Moulin-à-Vent, Les Thorins, Aux Caves, Les Vérillats, Champ de Cour and La Rochelle. These sites occupy the finest slopes of the appellation and reveal distinct geological and climatic characteristics. Three of these terroirs are bottled as single-vineyard wines: Les Vérillats, known for its elegance and energy; Champ de Cour, combining power and finesse; and La Rochelle, home to some of the estate's oldest vines and producing wines of remarkable depth, structure and ageing potential.
La Rochelle is home to some of the estate’s oldest vines
The philosophy at Château du Moulin-à-Vent is that every detail matters. Close observation of the vineyard, respect for old vines and careful adaptation to each vintage guide decisions in both vineyard and cellar. Equally important is the estate's commitment to massal selection, preserving the genetic diversity of its old Gamay vines and helping ensure resilience for future generations.
The Parinet family's commitment to terroir-driven wines extends beyond Beaujolais. In 2016 they acquired Roc des Boutires in Pouilly-Fuissé, a 4.2-hectare estate situated beneath the dramatic Roche de Solutré in the Mâconnais. Under the direction of Brice Laffond, Roc des Boutires focuses on Chardonnay from exceptional high-altitude vineyard sites, including parcels within newly designated Premier Cru climats. The estate's wines combine richness, precision and mineral purity, reflecting the same attention to site expression that defines Château du Moulin-à-Vent.
Together, Château du Moulin-à-Vent and Roc des Boutires represent the Parinet family's dedication to revealing the character of great vineyard sites through thoughtful farming, old vines and a deep respect for terroir.
Website: chateaudumoulinavent.com
Instagram: @chateaudumoulinavent