A project created in 2001 by Gerard Gauby with English importers Mark Walford and Roy Richards. Gerard Gauby was convinced that the old vines at Fenouilledes located on the heights at the foot of the Pyrenees benefited from a cooler climate and had the potential to produce wines of really high quality. At 650 metres above sea level these vines are some of the highest in France. Today le Soula is owned by Mark, and Wendy Paillé runs the estate and winemaking. They have been organic since the outset and biodynamic since 2008.
The soil is granitic and poor. The climate is hard and extreme, combining the heat of the Southern sun and the cold and rain of the mountains and the Tramontane wind. The vineyard of around 23 hectares, surrounded by 53 hectares of Garrigue, is principally comprised of very old vines. The red grapes are Carignan, Syrah and Grenache Noir. The whites are blended from a cocktail of Macabeu, Sauvignon, Grenache Blanc, Gris, Marsanne, Roussanne, Malvoisie du Roussillon and Chardonnay.
The wines are renowned for their purity, vitality and indeed character. They are to be found on some of the finest tables from Paris, London, New York and further afield.
