If you were to start driving in Provence heading southwest, you would arrive at the beautiful coastline where the Languedoc-Roussillon region borders northeastern Spain. Domaine Gauby is located here, in the rural countryside about a two and a half hour’s drive northeast of the majestic city of Barcelona. This area here is basically an extension of the Catalan region of Spain, but on the French side of the border. The Gauby estate itself is situated in the tiny village of Calce, which boasts incredible views of the Mediterranean coastline, cool oceanic breezes, and a marine-influenced limestone soil composition that is perfect for viticulture. Although the region is largely under-appreciated, those who are really in touch with the French wine scene will absolutely recognize Domaine Gauby. It is interesting how many times this wine makes it onto the table when a group of sommeliers gather. Gauby is one of the most famous producers within France outside the more famous regions of the Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux.

 

Domaine Gauby is a longtime producer in this region; having inherited vineyards from his family, Gerard Gauby took it upon himself to improve the reputation of the region by farming biodynamic grapes and crafting natural wines of tremendous quality. He is a true pioneer in the region and a strict believer in biodynamic farming. This choice is the important key to the greatness he achieves at this estate. His vineyards are planted in limestone soils and are surrounded by an extensive amount of biodiversity. To keep in line with biodynamic farming practices, Gerard lets the land in and around the vines grow wild. Expansive views of undeveloped scrubland surround the vines like a miniature forest, helping to maintain a true sense of the region’s natural environment. In the vineyards, Gerard uses natural products like plant oils and compost to keep his vines, soil and land healthy. When a vine is in balance, the purity, energy and quality of the final wines become a greater sum than its parts. Gerard’s vines and wines showcase this harmony. The grapes are all hand picked and then sorted back in the cellar before undergoing a very traditional natural fermentation following being aged in vats on fine lees for eight months, before bottling without fining or filtration.