Moroccan Wine Guide: Brands, Regions and Where to Buy

Yes, Morocco makes wine, and much of it is good. The country produces about 40 million bottles a year, roughly three-quarters of it red, and exports only a small share, so most of it is drunk at home and by visitors. Vines were grown here in Roman times; the modern industry dates from the French Protectorate and revived from the 1990s.

The wines are not world-famous, but a handful of producers make bottles worth seeking out. This guide covers the producers and labels to know, where the wine comes from, and where you can buy or order it in Morocco.

The Meknès Wine Region

The plateau around Meknès, at roughly 500 metres between the Middle Atlas and the Rif, is the heartland of Moroccan wine. Hot, dry summers, cold winters and wide swings between day and night temperatures suit grape growing. The area’s appellations include Beni M’Tir and Guerrouane, and the Coteaux de l’Atlas AOC covers the country’s most ambitious estates.

Les Celliers de Meknès is the country’s largest producer. Its flagship, Château Roslane, was the first Moroccan estate allowed to use the word “Château” and its Premier Cru wines carry the AOC Coteaux de l’Atlas. Its other labels include Beauvallon (Beni M’Tir) and Les Trois Domaines (Guerrouane). Domaine de la Zouina, a smaller estate near Meknès, makes the Volubilia range in every colour and a more ambitious Epicuria line.

Other Wine Regions

Domaine des Ouled Thaleb, near Benslimane between Rabat and Casablanca, was founded in 1926 and is the oldest Moroccan winery still operating. It sells under the Thalvin name, and its Tandem, a 100% Syrah made with the Crozes-Hermitage winemaker Alain Graillot, is among the Moroccan wines most often recommended abroad. Other appellations lie closer to the Atlantic and in the north-east, and smaller estates near Essaouira and in the Atlas foothills are experimenting with altitude and organic methods.

The Three Producers to Know

Les Celliers de Meknès and Château Roslane

The name Château Roslane belongs to the Celliers de Meknès portfolio, not to a separate wine region. Look for the AOC Coteaux de l’Atlas on the label. Château Roslane red blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah; its white is Chardonnay. The producer also makes the La Tour Roslane range. The appellation tells you where the wine comes from, while the producer and cuvée tell you which bottle you are buying.

Domaine des Ouled Thaleb (Thalvin)

Based near Benslimane, this producer is worth knowing for Tandem, a Syrah associated with Rhône winemaker Alain Graillot. It is a useful bottle for anyone who wants to discover a more structured Moroccan red. The estate also makes other ranges under the Thalvin name; check the specific label rather than assuming every Thalvin wine is Tandem.

Domaine de la Zouina

Near Meknès, Domaine de la Zouina is known for Volubilia and Epicuria. The former is a useful starting point for exploring Moroccan red, white and rosé wines from one producer. If you are arranging a visit, contact the estate directly to confirm whether tastings are offered on your date and whether a reservation is required.

How to Choose a Moroccan Wine

If you want…	Start by looking for…
If you want…A fuller red with spice and dark fruit	Start by looking for…Tandem Syrah or Château Roslane red
If you want…A red to compare with a classic French-style blend	Start by looking for…Château Roslane red
If you want…A white to serve with fish or poultry	Start by looking for…Château Roslane Chardonnay or a Volubilia white
If you want…A chilled wine for a warm afternoon	Start by looking for…Volubilia rosé

These are starting points, not a ranking. Wine styles can vary by vintage, and stock differs between shops and restaurants.

What to Drink

For reds, start with Château Roslane Premier Cru, Ouled Thaleb’s Tandem Syrah, or Domaine de la Zouina’s Volubilia. For a lighter, cheaper red, look at the Celliers’ Beauvallon or Les Trois Domaines. For rosé, the Volubilia rosé and Thalvin’s S de Siroua rosé are good warm-weather choices. Whites are fewer and Chardonnay leads: Château Roslane Premier Cru blanc and Zouina’s Epicuria Chardonnay are the ones to look for.

Visiting a Vineyard or Winery

The most practical area to explore is Meknès and its surroundings, where several producers and appellations are concentrated. The local tourism office identifies cellars around Meknès, including the Château Roslane estate near Boufekrane. Benslimane, between Casablanca and Rabat, is another useful name to know because of Domaine des Ouled Thaleb.

A winery is not automatically open to walk-in visitors. Before travelling, ask the estate whether it accepts visitors, which languages are available, whether the visit includes a tasting, and how long to allow. Arrange a driver or other transport if you plan to taste wine. Vineyard visits should be treated as a planned outing, not an assumed stop on a sightseeing route.

For more background on the region, see the Meknès guide and the Meknès tourism office’s overview of local cellars.

Pairing Moroccan Wine with Food

Moroccan reds work well with grilled lamb, beef and slow-cooked dishes; a Syrah can complement peppery or smoky flavours. A crisp white is often easier alongside grilled fish or a lighter chicken dish. Rosé can be a versatile choice with salads, grilled vegetables and milder mezze-style starters.

For a richly spiced tagine, choose a wine you enjoy rather than trying to match every spice. Remember that many traditional restaurants do not serve alcohol, so a wine pairing may be something to enjoy at home or at a licensed restaurant.

Where to Find Wine

Larger Carrefour supermarkets have a separate alcohol section, usually at the back or behind its own doors, which often closes earlier than the rest of the store. Nicolas wine shops in Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech stock Moroccan labels alongside imports. Licensed restaurants and hotel bars serve wine openly; in Marrakech, the Grand Café de la Poste in Gueliz has a Moroccan list. Many restaurants, including some well-known ones in the medinas, are not licensed, so check before you book if wine matters. During Ramadan, supermarket alcohol sections close for the month; hotel bars and licensed restaurants usually continue serving.

Reading the Label

AOC and AOG indicate protected geographical origins; they are not the names of individual wineries. Coteaux de l’Atlas, Beni M’Tir, Guerrouane and Zenata are geographical designations you may encounter. A producer may offer several ranges from different areas, so look for the appellation and the cuvée together.

The vintage is the harvest year, not the bottling year. For everyday bottles, storage matters as much as the label: avoid bottles left in direct sun or excessive heat. If you are unsure, ask the shop for a recent arrival or a bottle kept in a cooler part of the premises.

Wine Etiquette in Morocco

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, and many people do not drink alcohol. Wine is available through licensed outlets, but cultural sensitivity matters. Do not drink in public spaces, on the street, or in front of people who are fasting during Ramadan. Do not assume every restaurant serves alcohol. Many do not, and asking can be awkward in conservative areas. At licensed restaurants and hotels, wine may be available on the menu.