In the Maury appellation, Mas Camps first and foremost stands out as a distinctive brand. Indeed, it is under this name, claimed as a signature of his expertise, that Olivier Castells produces his wines.
A man and a domain
Mas Camps is a name that first evokes an encounter: that of Olivier Castells . Here, the estate is inseparable from the man who breathes life into it. This is often the case in the vineyards of Occitanie : some winemakers possess a charisma that is also the tool with which they forge their wines. For Mas Camps is located in the heart of a Roussillon cru with a strong character: Maury . Renowned for its naturally sweet wines, the appellation also produces dry wines, primarily made from Grenache grapes. The estate is situated at the confluence of two rivers: the Agly and the Maury, from which the terroir takes its name. At this point where the valley narrows, the landscape is naturally imposing. From this strategic bottleneck, already known to the Romans, the vines stretch to the horizon of the Corbières . High limestone hills mark its distant boundary. The Château de Quéribus dominates these luminous grey ridges.
Some red and some white
On this historic terroir, where respect for the ancestral soil is paramount, Olivier Castells manages his vineyard under the High Environmental Value (HVE) certification . This winemaking heritage, developed over three generations, comprises 30 hectares of vines alongside 5 hectares of fallow land and heathland. Formerly destined for the cooperative, the harvest is now entirely vinified on the estate. At Mas Camps , the grape varieties blend white and red. The whites include Maccabeu, Grenache Blanc and Gris, Muscat of Alexandria and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, as well as Sauvignon Blanc in the plains. The reds are born from the combination of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Carignan. Young Cinsault vines, intended to introduce new expressions, have recently joined the family. The hand-harvested grapes, then gravity-fed into the vats, guarantee the impeccable quality of Mas Camps wines.
Cuvées and typicities
For a winemaker dedicated to crafting wines, the selection of specific vineyard plots and the expressive potential of each harvest are paramount. At Mas Camps , vinification and aging are thus like scores written specifically for each vintage, tailored to its unique potential. The wines possess the typicity of the Catalan lands and the Maury terroir . This is certainly true of the Flacon red, produced in Côtes du Roussillon Villages . Made using whole-cluster fermentation, where the dominant Mourvèdre is blended with Grenache, this cuvée strengthens its structure over 12 months of barrel aging. With a profile focused on fruit, Au Pied du Roc finds its freshness in the blend of Mourvèdre, Carignan, Grenache, and Syrah. It contrasts with La Ronde des Vents , a sun-drenched cuvée where Grenache and Syrah combine maturity, complexity, and roundness, enhanced by 15 months of aging. In a different style, characteristic of the wines of the Côtes Catalanes, a Carignan of pure expression stands out. The white wines are equally impressive at the Mas Camps vineyard . Aube Nacrée , vinified to reflect the unique character of each vintage, showcases a plot of old vines where Muscat and Maccabeu grow side by side. Le Flacon , the white version, draws on the finest potential of Grenache Blanc and Gris grapes, whose subtle complexities are enhanced by six months of aging in 500-liter barrels.
What about Maury's natural sweet wines?
While Mas Camps is known for its dry wines, the estate also maintains the historical tradition of the Maury terroir , recognized as early as 1936 for its naturally sweet wines. Olivier Castells continues the production of elegant, traditional cuvées: Maury Blanc , Maury Rouge , and also a Muscat de Rivesaltes, all while striving for a perfect balance of sugars and alcohol.
