Wines from Moulin-à-Vent are deemed some of the sturdiest and most ageworthy bottles in all of Beaujolais. Despite their solid structure, these bottles are surprisingly never too tannic, maintaining an approachable flavor profile in their youth. Juice tends to show a relatively opaque hue in the glass, leading to complex flavors of ripe dark berries, crushed red flowers, undergrowth, and game. Moulin-à-Vent vineyards are also some of the highest planted in all of Beaujolais, reaching altitudes of up to 1,280 feet. Soils are comprised of pink granite, and in just two square miles, over 4 million bottles are produced annually. The region is also home to a historical windmill monument from which the appellation derives its name.

Unlike the other appellations, don’t pull out a map and look for a place named “Moulin-à-Vent” because you won’t find it! The vineyards that produce this appellation are actually located in the villages of Romanèche-Thorins and Chénas. So, where does the name come from? From deep in the history of Moulin-à-Vent wines, a rather special Beaujolais cru.