The Soula - White 2018
Le Soula is located in the Fenouillèdes region, northwest of Maury in Languedoc-Roussillon . In the 1990s, Roy Richards and Mark Walford imported Gérard Gauby 's wines for the English market. Gauby was convinced that the Fenouillèdes vineyards, located high up in the foothills of the Pyrenees, benefited from a cooler climate and had real potential to produce high-quality wines. He therefore suggested that they form a partnership to cultivate these vineyards. Together, they purchased vineyards in the best sites and an old house in the high-altitude village of Saint Martin de Fenouillet, located in the heart of the vineyard. The house became Le Soula's first winery, and from the outset in 2001, the red and white wines enjoyed a fine reputation. By 2008, the project had outgrown the Saint Martin premises. Thus, the cellars moved to the foot of the mountain in the old cooperative cellar of Prugnanes which they restored. Gérald Standley who had worked in Bordeaux joined the team, initially, to assist Gérard Gauby as co-manager and subsequently by managing the estate alone. In 2012, Roy and Mark sold their wine import business to Berry Bros & Rudd and it was Mark Walford who took over the management and marketing of Soula. In 2016, Wendy Paillé , with her extensive experience of vineyard management in the Loire and the United States, took over from Gérald and she is now at the head of the Soula team. The 22 hectares of vines have been managed organically since the beginning and certified biodynamic since 2008 .
The Soula Blanc 2018 is made from 65-year-old Vermentino vines (54%), 15-year-old Sauvignon Blanc (22%), 28-year-old Grenache Blanc (14%), 28-year-old Roussanne and Marsanne (6%), and 29-year-old Macabeu (4%). They are grown on decomposed granite terroirs between 350 and 600 meters above sea level. Vinification is traditional, with direct whole-bunch pressing and indigenous yeasts. Aging lasts 22 months , 52% in 500-liter demi-muids and 228-liter barrels, and 48% in 3,000-liter foudres .
Grape varieties: 54% Vermentino, 22% Sauvignon Blanc, 14% Grenache Blanc, 6% Marsanne and Roussanne, 4% Macabeu
