Domaine Le Soula Rouge

Carignan / Syrah /Grenache

Roussillon, France

The ethos of Le Soula was an idea by Gerard Gauby (Domaine Gauby) and his English importers, Roy Richards and Mark Walford (Richards Walford & Co.), to showcase the potential of the high-altitude vineyards in the foothills of the Eastern Pyrenees. With the combination of old vines, granitic soils and the cooler climate of the Fenouillèdes, the trio were convinced that this unique terroir could produce world class wines of elegance and vitality. Armed with this conviction, in the late 1990’s they purchased a few hectares of vines and an old cellar in the village of Saint Martin de Fenouillet.

From the outset, the vineyards have been tended without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Biodynamic principles have been followed since 2008, and the Domaine is Demeter certified. The key to Le Soula has always been the quality of the vineyards. These are small plots of old vines, spread out over multiple communes. The soils are predominately decomposed granite, but a small amount of black schist can also be found. Each parcel has different expositions, and the altitudes range from 350–650 meters.