Le Soula

Le Soula - An Introduction

Le Soula is a joint enterprise between the famed Languedoc-Roussillon winemaker Gérard Gauby and Richards Walford Wine Importers. Gérard shares the winemaking responsibilities with Gérald Standley who joined Le Soula in 2008, having formerly worked around the vinous world gaining experience in leading wineries. Gérard Gauby continues to oversee the Domaine while Gérald assures the day to day running of Le Soula.

Roy Richards and Mark Walford started working with Gérard and his wife Ghislaine in 1991, at their vineyards in Calce. Here Gérard coaxes the best out of his largely old vines, through restricted yields and his own interpretation of biodynamic viticultural practice, to produce wines under the Domaine Gauby label.

In the late 1990‟s Gérard became aware that the nearby Agly Valley could offer great potential for making wines with the freshness and acidity imparted by altitude, while at the same time retaining a distinct southern French character. An ensuing search led him to a site of definite potential in the North-west of the Languedoc-Rousillon region, high up in the Agly Valley. Situated at an altitude of between 450m and 600m above sea level, with all that this implies in terms of cool climate and late picking, the soils were made up of decomposed granite washed over with limestone, similar to Hermitage. Largely abandoned to viticulture, the commune of St. Martin de Fenouillet seemed offered an extraordinary opportunity. When Gérard proposed that Roy and Mark enter in to partnership with him on this new project, they willingly accepted and Le Soula was born.

For more information, visit the Le Soula website