Gérard Gauby

Gérard Gauby
Owner & Winemaker
Domaine Gauby
Calce, France

Ownership of the Domaine Gauby vineyards has passed down through the generations of the Gauby family, always with the intent of selling grapes. In the 1980s, after Gérard Gauby took over the family estate, he was determined to produce the first wine vintage from the Domaine Gauby grapes.  In the years since, Domaine Gauby wines have become widely known. 

The domaine has seen considerable expansion, from 5 ha to something more like 40. Much of this is Côtes du Roussillon, in the village of Calce, although Gauby has also purchased vineyards further inland, in the increasingly popular Fenouillèdes region. Wherever they are, they have the dramatic, garrigue-influenced appearance that characterises much of the landscape in Roussillon. The soils are chalky in the main - hence the name Calce, from calcaire, but there is also some schist. Many of the vines are over 120 years old, having survived Europe’s phylloxera disease without needing to be grafted to North American rootstock. Yields vary but are less than 35 hl/ha, typically 20 hl/ha for the Syrah. Vineyard management is biodynamic. Although initially the wines were tannic and extracted, Gauby has moved towards a more balanced elegant style in recent years, and the wines are much better for it. In addition the range has expanded considerably, and there are now a number of desirable cuvées both red and white.

Gerard harvests earlier than most of his cohorts in the Rousillon. As a result his wines are blessed with great acidity and aging potential. He is not afraid of some of the oxidation that is typical in the Rousillon. He converted his farm fully to biodynamics in 2001. He has some vines that are nearly 200 years old.

the farmstead wines collection 

Domaine Gauby 2004 Cotes du Roussillon Muntada

Domaine Gauby 2004 Cotes du Roussillon Vielles Vignes

Domaine Gauby 2005 Vin de Pays Cotes Catalanes Blancs

Domaine Gauby 2005 Rivesaltes vin doux naturel

Domaine Gauby 2006 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Rouges