Morocco Wine Guide 2026

Winemaking in Morocco predates Islam by over a thousand years. The Romans planted vineyards around the city of Volubilis — their westernmost outpost — in the 2nd century AD. Archaeological finds at the site include grape presses and amphorae fragments, confirming that the Meknes-Fes corridor has been wine country for nearly two millennia.

After the Arab conquests, viticulture continued on a reduced scale. Grapes were grown for table fruit and raisins, but winemaking persisted in pockets, particularly among Jewish and Christian communities. The tradition never fully disappeared.

The French Protectorate (1912-1956) transformed Moroccan wine into an industry. French settlers planted Cinsault, Carignan, and Grenache across the Meknes plateau, the Gharb plain, and the Berkane region near Algeria. By 1956, Morocco had over 55,000 hectares under vine — more than many European countries. Most of this production was bulk wine shipped to France for blending.

Independence brought upheaval. The Moroccan government nationalized many estates, and vineyard acreage dropped by more than half. Quality suffered for decades. The turnaround began in the late 1990s when private investors — both Moroccan and foreign — started planting premium grape varieties, importing modern equipment, and hiring trained enologists. Estates like Chateau Roslane, Domaine de la Zouina, and Val d'Argan now produce wines that win medals at international competitions.

Today Morocco has roughly 30,000 hectares of vineyards and produces around 35 million bottles annually. The country holds two AOG designations (Guerrouane and Berkane), modeled on the French appellation system. While most Moroccan wine is consumed domestically, exports to Europe are growing, and several labels are available in specialty wine shops from London to New York.