La Mariota
La Mariota is a relative newcomer perched in the village of Vingrau, one of the best terroirs in the Roussillon. Cecilia Diaz and Guillermo Campos hail from Argentina. They met while working in Spain in the early 2000s. Soon the pair decided to move to London to perfect their English working in hospitality. After 18 months the couple finally settled in France.
Their wine calling happened while working in top restaurants in Paris. Their taste shifted when they met a trio of sommeliers who trained for national and international competitions. This experience instilled in the couple a love for finer wines and fresher styles.
In 2013, Cecilia and Guillermo welcomed their first child and decided to swap their urban lifestyle for peaceful, rural living. They arrived in the Roussillon and Guillermo joined the brothers at Domaine Danjou-Banessy to start a two year apprenticeship. Which followed by 6 months with Cyril Fhal at Clos du Rouge Gorge.
In 2017 the couple found vineyards in Vingrau and Tautavel, starting with 6 different grape varieties planted across 1.7ha. 2019 marked the first vinification in their cellar nestled underneath their family home in Vingrau. They now farm 8ha, half for future plantings. From the start they have worked in an organic way, wanting to produce wines with bright fruit, structure and freshness. They vinify as naturally as possible.
La Mariota wines capture the essence of the Roussillon region and flavours from the Mediterranean sea, offering a harmonious blend of tradition, flirting with oxidative notes and innovation. The pairs commitment to sustainability and minimal intervention ensures that each bottle reflects the unique terroir and vibrant character of the area.
The Wines
100% Grenache Blanc from steep schist-marl vineyards in Tautavel. Aged with finesse—12 months on lees in 400 L barrels followed by another 12 months in bottle—this organically farmed white delivers brightness, structure, and authenticity from Roussillon.
Roussillon might not be the first place in your mind while looking for fresh whites. But what Cecilia and Guillermo have achieved over a shoprt period of time is very commendable. The whites and Tacsum are definitely the most profond wines at La Mariota. The 2022 Roc della Vella is a blend of 75% Macabeu and 25% Roussanne. Chiselled, textured and mineral all at once. The flavours of the Mediterranean in your glass.
Le Vol des Etourneaux is the lightest expression of all the reds from La Mariota. Translating as "Starling thiefs" coming in flocks in the vineyards as soon as the grapes ripened, taking their part of the harvest. Cecilia and Guillermo are taking them at their game against them by harvesting just before full maturity, followed by a short maceration in whole bunches for 5 days. Resulting in a wine that is lighter in colour but packs a punch in flavours and texture. A blend of Grenache and Carignan supported by a dash of Syrah. To be served chilled!
100% Grenache Blanc from steep schist-marl vineyards in Tautavel. Aged with finesse—12 months on lees in 400 L barrels followed by another 12 months in bottle—this organically farmed white delivers brightness, structure, and authenticity from Roussillon.
Sudaka is a unique interpretation of Old Vines Carignan from 2020 Vintage. It may well be a one off... Cecilia and Guillermo have nicked named the vineyards it comes from "The Jungle". There is chaos in every bush but the grapes deliver such intense and bold flavours that they decided to retrained them rather than uprooting. The soils is purely composed of schists. Carignan grape delivers very moody wines in its youth. After 2 years in bottle, Sudaka teenage years are definitely behind, offering a velvety, mineral, dark smoked berries. A perfect match with lamb chops on the BBQ in our opinion.
Tacsum is going for sure to be a benchmak in the orange wine world. The first reaction we noticed while sampling Tacsum is a huge smile. What does Tacsum mean? Just read it backwards… A blend of two different Muscat grapes: Petits Grains and Alexandrie, the former ripens early in August and the later follows mid September. Two different personalities, Petit Grains is punchy, racy and etheral, Alexandrie brings floral and gracefulness. Both are fully fermented in whole bunch for twelve days and matured for a year in stainless steel tank and a further 6 month in botlle. While the nose is charmingly open with orange and clementine blossom, spices and herbs. The palate follows as a really serious wine, with gentle bitterness and tannins. We can drink not just a glass but the full bottle in a flash.
17.5/20
‘Bright, cloudy orange and smelling of orange blossom (and I'm pretty sure this is not power of suggestion – I went outside to check by burying my nose in our choisya bush, which is still in bloom). Quite possibly one of the most delicious, refined, elegant and sapid orange wines I've ever tasted. It's a gingery, spicy helix of long, almost-invisible tannins: fragrant with turmeric, saffron and white pepper; drenched in bitter-orange juices, kumquat and quince. It has vermouth-like aromatics, tingling with orange peel, bitter herbs, minty coolth and chilli heat. It's a glorious wine that became dangerously addictive when sipped with cheese sablés!’ Drink 2024 - 2027 (Tamlyn Currin of Jancisrobinson.com)