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First Belgian wine made from Belgian grapes

Founding of Isca

After the Second World War, Belgian grape growers lost a large part of their export market. Table grapes became difficult to sell and prices dropped below a profitable level. Out of necessity, Albert Michiels came up with an innovative idea in 1955.

Together with several other greenhouse growers, he founded the company Isca. They collected 50,000 kilograms of table grapes and decided to process them into wine. Using mainly varieties such as Colman and Royal, typical blue table grapes from the region, they achieved a milestone: the very first Belgian wine made from Belgian grapes. From then on, they produced white, rosé and sparkling wines.

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Grandfather Albert

Albert Michiels was clearly someone with an entrepreneurial spirit. Not only did he start producing wine, but he also founded Jazz Hoeilaart International, giving his love for music a place.

He passed on this passion for grapes, wine and music to his children and grandchildren, who are now part of the Farendys team. In this way, the story of grandfather Albert continues into a new chapter.

Isca lives on

Can you spot the resemblance between the Isca logo and the Farendys logo?

For us, it was essential to give our history a visible place within the Farendys story. That is why we chose to bring the iconic figure from the original Isca logo back to life in our own logo — a subtle nod to where it all began.