The Top Vineyards To Visit For Wine Tasting In Morocco

After a decline in wine production over the years, interventions by King Hassan II coupled with foreign investment has seen Moroccan-wine production increase once again. Here are some of the best places today to learn more about the industry and sample delicious local wines in Morocco.

Morocco has produced wine for hundreds of years, going back to the Phoenician and Roman eras. The industry really took off, however, during the time of French-colonial rule; now, as well as having some of the best conditions for producing wines in North Africa, Morocco is now the second-largest wine-producing country in the Arab world (following Algeria).

1. Domaine du Val d’Argan, Essaouira

Bar, Restaurant, Wine Bar, Wine, Pub Grub

Wine-loving travellers in Essaouira should definitely schedule a visit to the nearby Domaine du Val d’Argan. Red, white, and rose wines are made here using the grapes grown in the lush vineyards that cover more than 1,500 hectares (around 3706.58). The Val d’Argan and Orian Rouge labels are well known. The winery uses traditional wine-making methods with modern equipment. Around 200,000 bottles of wine are stocked in the cellar at any given time. Lunch is available at the restaurant.

2. Domaine Ouled Thaleb, Benslimane

Restaurant, Moroccan

Located between Rabat and Casablanca, Domaine Ouled Thaleb was named after a local Berber group. Founded in the early 1920s, the winery was a leading force in the Moroccan wine-industry revival in the 1990s. The winery grows many of its own grapes onsite and follow organic-farming principles, though grapes are also sometimes sourced from local vineyards too. The area’s cooler temperature leads to a different taste of the wines when compared with those produced in Meknes.
Taste reds, whites, and roses at Domaine Ouled Thaleb. Don’t miss the estate’s signature wine too. Called Ouled Thaleb Signature, it blends marselan, petit verdot, and carmenere grapes for a fruity, floral, juicy, and chocolatey taste. Many may be familiar with the estate-produced Syrocco label as it is one of the most popular Moroccan wines in the US. It is, however, labeled as Tandem within Morocco. The winery is also known for its high quality olives. The panoramic restaurant offers the ideal place to relax and soak up the vistas while choosing the best wine to pair with a sumptuous meal.