The following article predates autumn 2018. Since then, Mas du Soleilla has changed ownership. Acquired by the Gérard Bertrand vineyards , it is now part of the Château l'Hospitalet wine and wine tourism complex.
Certified organic since 2012, Mas du Soleilla is an exemplary estate of the remarkable wines that the La Clape vineyard is capable of producing.
The signature of the terroir
Originally from Switzerland, Peter Wildbolz and Christa Derungs settled in the La Clape massif in 1998. Taking over the Mas du Soleilla estate , they made the wise decision to begin organic conversion early on. Initially acquired with 7 hectares of vines, the estate now covers 22 hectares. On this geological site, which was once an island in ancient times, the vineyard now thrives on a limestone plateau. Located 130 meters above sea level, it is not uncommon to find oyster or ammonite fossils emerging between the rows of vines. And when Peter Wildbolz explains that buying an estate also means buying a history , you understand that in this place, history is also the immemorial story of a terroir that will become the hallmark of the wine.
The power of fruit
At Mas du Soleilla , viticulture is practiced with subtle rigor, where the winemaker's apparent modesty conceals a particularly expert technique. This begins with a deep understanding of the terroir and its climatic variations. The way the vineyard is grassed, only until the end of the rainy season, is a first indication of this. Later, sea winds and limestone soils sometimes lead to droughts that necessitate preventing root competition among the vines. The future elegance of the fruit, the strength of its juice, and the concentration of its aromas depend on it. At Mas du Soleilla , this is how the Grenache Noir , Syrah , Cabernet Franc , and Merlot destined for red wines are carefully tended , not forgetting the Roussanne and Bourboulenc intended for white wines. The artisanal care given to the vines is also reflected in the winemaking process. The shape of the vats, their dimensions, the control given to the temperatures, all contribute to giving the terroir and its fruits some of the most interesting wines of the appellation.
The consistency of the wines
At Mas du Soleilla, there's one rule: to make wines that stand out from one another. This commitment is reflected in the labels, whose subtle color palettes clearly distinguish each cuvée. Take Les Ammonites , for example, with its ochre-orange label, whose garnet hue in the glass already hints at the velvety presence of blackberry or cherry, fruits of the Grenache blended with Syrah. Next is Les Chailles , dressed in a deep purple that announces, with suppleness and finesse, the marriage of red fruits and spices, a signature dominated by the estate's old Grenache vines and, of course, Syrah. With Les Bartelles , introduced by a carmine red label and named after the small woods of the garrigue, the woody and spicy accents add complexity to an already captivating picture. Then comes the Clôt de l'Amandier , its vermilion label an ambassador of slow barrel aging, imparting hints of truffle and mocha to the already beautifully expressed fruit. Contrasting with the velvety textures and well-integrated tannins of the red wines, the white wine, made from Bourboulenc and Roussanne grapes, offers floral freshness and peach notes, beneath a bluish label that provides the finishing touch. From this collection emerges a great visual coherence, reflecting the complex precision of the Mas du Soleilla wines , all intensely and virtuously expressive of the La Clape terroir.
The Château l'Hospitalet