Viticulture in Bel Ombre: A new chapter in ER Group’s agricultural journey
In September 2025, a new chapter began in Bel Ombre as Agrïa, a subsidiary of ER Group, planted its first vines. Developed in partnership with Domaine de Montille and leading French experts, the initiative aims to establish a high-value agricultural sector rooted in sustainability, expertise, and local identity.
In the presence of the Hon. Dr Arvin Boolell, Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, the Hon. Dr David, Junior Minister, government officials and a distinguished audience of partners, stakeholders, sommeliers, and the leadership teams of ER Group and Agrïa, the symbolic planting marked more than the birth of the Group’s vineyard. It signaled new perspectives for agriculture, economy, and tourism in the southwest.
By 2029, 75,000 vines will be cultivated across 15 hectares of Bel Ombre’s terroir. Three cépages—Chenin Blanc, Touriga Nacional, and Cabernet Franc—have been selected in the initial phase for their adaptability to the tropical microclimate and their potential to produce wines of character. The first harvest is expected in 2028, with the inaugural cuvée anticipated for 2029. Agrïa’s ambition is to produce up to 80,000 bottles annually, destined first for the Mauritian market and tourists before gradually reaching niche export markets. Importantly, vinification will take place locally in Bel Ombre, reducing the carbon footprint and reinforcing short supply chains.
As Philippe Espitalier-Noël, CEO of ER Group and Chairman of Agrïa, remarked:
“This emblematic project embodies our spirit of innovation while affirming Bel Ombre’s sustainable Art de vivre. Our ambition is clear: to develop high-quality agricultural sectors that reflect Mauritius’ identity and can shine globally.”
A pioneering spirit for Mauritius
Developed with the renowned Burgundy winemaker Étienne de Montille, assisted by Nicholas Valentinuzzi, and supported by geologist Yves Hérody and climatologist Benjamin Bois, the project combines international know-how, rigorous scientific analysis of soils and climate, and Agrïa’s deep-rooted experience in Bel Ombre.
“Planting a vineyard in Mauritius is both a dream and a technical challenge. The terroir of Bel Ombre has a unique potential we aim to explore, with the ambition to produce world-class wines: white, rosé, and red, crafted from carefully selected European cépages. Ultimately, we hope to establish the world’s first tropical vineyard cultivated organically,” remarked Étienne de Montille
The studies by Yves Hérody highlighted an unexpected asset: decades of liming linked to sugarcane cultivation have made Bel Ombre’s soils surprisingly favorable for vineyards.
Beyond farming: economic and cultural impact
The impact of the vineyard will extend far beyond agriculture.
- Economic: creation of a new high-value sector, strengthening Mauritian agribusiness.
- Social: new jobs and training opportunities in viticulture and oenology, particularly in Bel Ombre and surrounding villages, where unemployment remains high.
- Ecological: emphasis on agroecological practices, soil regeneration through fallow, and carbon reduction through local vinification.
- Touristic and cultural: development of an unprecedented œnotourism experience in the southwest of Mauritius.
- International: positioning Mauritius on the map of emerging terroirs with distinctive wines that showcase the island’s innovation and identity.
A wider agricultural strategy
The Bel Ombre vineyard adds to a growing portfolio of agricultural projects by ER Group. In Case Noyale, apiculture is thriving. In Bel Ombre, pineapples, palm hearts, lawn turf are cultivated. And in Chamarel, cacao projects are paving the way for artisanal chocolate, while rum continues to be crafted with distinction. Earlier this year, the Group also relaunched tea cultivation in the highlands, reviving a crop once central to Mauritian heritage and adapting it to today’s markets.
For ER Group, agriculture has always been both a legacy and a frontier. With over two centuries of history, the Group continues to balance tradition with transformation. The vineyard at Bel Ombre captures this vision perfectly: rooted in agricultural heritage while planting the seeds of a sustainable future. From sugarcane to wine, from heritage to innovation, it marks a milestone that will shape not only the land but also the story of a nation looking confidently to its future.
