Le Soula

Le Soula is a venture started in the 90s by two importers of wines from Gerard Gauby for the English market. All together they bought a plot in high altitude in the Fenouillèdes region of the Roussillon, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Their wines combine freshness and vitality, stemming from the soil and the climate. Since the outset, the vineyards have been managed organically and they are now worked biodynamically since 2008. As they are completely organic, the vineyards are a haven for flora and fauna.

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. The grapes are all hand harvested, and yields are extremely low, ranging from 14-18hl/ha depending on the vintage. In the cellar the goal is elegance and finesse, not terms often associated with Roussillon wines.

In 2016 the torch at Le Soula was passed to the lovely, energetic and talented Wendy Paillé who makes the wines and oversees all work in the vineyards. Prior to joining Le Soula, Wendy spent 7 years making wine in the Loire Valley at the celebrated Pithon-Paillé with Jo Pithon and Joseph Paillé. Much of her focus at Pithon-Paillé was on vineyard management, but she was also instrumental in the winemaking process and made her first solo-vinification in 2012.