James Eden

Our 4 hectares of vineyards are located in Calce, not far from Perpignan, in the Roussillon. And our vines are from 40 to 90 years old, on hillsides, with very small yields of 8 to 15 hectares, which is quite typical of Calce. The grapes are harvested by hand and in 12 kg crates. The soil is very varied geologically, limestone, schist, marl. We have 22 plots of land, some of which are adjacent to each other, which we vinify in "parcellaire" and with indigenous yeasts so that the terroir can express itself in our wines. Consequently, our micro-cuvées (never more than 1000 bottles) are very different from each other. Grass is controlled by cultivating the soil with a shallow "Canadian" plow and weeding is natural. We do not sow any plants either, the balance of the biotope is a fragile one that must be respected and not disturbed with a monoculture lawn. We are in "Vin de France" and we are not certified. After years of frustration and the desire to become a winemaker, the hazards of life brought James and his family to the clay-limestone paths of Calce. Domaine Cau Eden began with plots of vines destined to be forgotten, and a 1905 Marmonier press refurbished for the 2011 harvest. The vinification is done in stainless steel tanks, which we must keep scrupulously clean, which allows us to use very little sulfites mainly just before the setting. The vineyards are scattered throughout the commune of Calce, the land of the Tramontane, which blows without mercy. Most of the old vines were waiting for the uprooting premium to be renewed. Thanks to the help of neighboring winegrowers and donations of equipment, the family was able to move the estate forward! Their three children run and play in our vineyards: no pesticides or synthetic weed killers are used, nothing that could make them sick or harm nature. Not to mention the wine drinkers and their dog Freddy!