Four generations of old wine makers tradition

Located in French Catalan country, a region full of contrasts and lively old customs, where sunshine and tramontane winds, rugby and Cargolada reign (a traditional snail dish), our family domain lies between Perpignan and Collioure, at the feet of the Pyrenean Mountains, the natural border to Spain.

The story of Domaine Sol-Payré starts in 1913 when Gustave Payré, agricultural worker at the time, decided to buy a 10 hectares piece of land as well as a superb place for a winery in the historical centre of Elne, just beneath the Cathedral and the Cloister founded during the XI and XII centuries. The vineyards were located on the highest slopes of the Saint Martin hills outside Elne, an exceptionally sun bathed area. The clayey calcareous land was full of small pebbles mixed with fine clay sands, an ideal soil for a good vineyard !

Gustave's son Maurice planted the first Muscat vines, already diversifying the production in order to be able to offer the natural sweet wine Muscat de Rivesaltes. He took care of the vineyard together with his daughter Mauricette until his grandson Jean-Claude Sol took over the family business.

New vines have been introduced since, Syrah, Merlot and Mourvèdre, going along with a restructuring of the vineyard and the introduction of the first A.O.C. Côtes du Roussillon. Little by little the vineyard grew and now makes up some 40 hectares today. Our vine growing is characterized by low yields and green harvests while vinification combines contemporary techniques with old traditional wine maker knowledge and know-how. For the maturing process, a special wine cellar has been built to guarantee an exceptionally good aging of our wines.

In 2005 we had the pleasure to inaugurate our new Chai (winery) in the very heart of our vineyards on the hills of Saint Martin.

At the estate the choice of the vines determines the vinification : each vine has its separate vinification, with regard to the situation and exposure of the parcels. We finish our harvests with some twenty wines signed Domaine Sol-Payré.

Old vines, controlled yields and preservation of our original vines... these are the simple means by which we stay in harmony with the typicality of our wine region.