Domaine Clos Saint Roch
About Domaine Clos Saint Roch
Domaine Clos Saint Roch is a terroir-driven estate located in Maury, in the Roussillon region of southern France, near the foothills of the Pyrenees and just west of the Mediterranean. Founded in 2002 by winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage and his wife Éliane, the estate was built around old hillside vineyards in one of France’s most dramatic and rugged wine landscapes. Maury is traditionally known for fortified wines, but Clos Saint Roch has helped elevate the region’s reputation for serious, dry reds that reflect place and precision.
The vineyards are situated on steep, rocky slopes dominated by black schist soils, a defining feature of Maury’s terroir. These fractured, mineral-rich soils force vines to struggle and root deeply, producing naturally low yields and intensely concentrated fruit. Many of the estate’s vines — particularly Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah — are old plantings, some exceeding 60–80 years of age. The Mediterranean climate delivers powerful sun exposure, while altitude and wind help preserve balance and structure in the fruit.
Winemaking at Clos Saint Roch is focused on purity and site expression. Fermentations are handled with care to manage extraction, allowing the wines to show both power and finesse. Aging typically takes place in a mix of concrete, stainless steel, and French oak barrels, used with restraint to support the fruit rather than dominate it. The style is structured yet polished, combining dark fruit intensity with minerality, spice, and refined tannins.
Jean-Marc Lafage, one of Roussillon’s most respected modern vintners, brings deep regional knowledge and technical precision to the estate. His philosophy centers on highlighting Maury’s schist-driven identity while crafting wines with balance and age-worthiness. Domaine Clos Saint Roch stands today as a benchmark producer for dry Maury wines, bridging the region’s historic roots with contemporary elegance and international appeal.
