Domaine Le Roc des Anges

Founded in 2001 by Marjorie and Stéphane Gallet, both transplants from other parts of France (Côte Rotie and Normandy, respectively), they have constructed an organic and biodynamic wine sanctuary in the Vallée de l’Agly, a nearly deserted vineyard land dominated by co-ops and famous for producing fortified wines.

The name, meaning ‘Rock of the Angels’, was inspired by an old Carignan vineyard on the domaine, planted on a vein of quartz surrounded by black schist in a lieu-dit called ‘Roc Blanc’. This vineyard reminded Marjorie of Côte-Rôtie, her home, and an angel was chosen to represent the vein of quartz, hence ‘Roc des Anges’. 

The locals continue to abandon vines every year because the yields are tragically low, making it one of the most difficult places in France to make a living in vineyards.

Thibault Ponthier acquired the estate in 2024, working with Marjorie and Stéphane for three years to ensure a smooth handover.

With vines up to 100 years old, the resulting wines are complex and expressive of their unique terroir and benefit from excellent ageing potential.

In the vineyard

Le Roc des Anges comprises 22 hectares in the village of Montner, near Latour-de-France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales départment. 

The domain was founded against the backdrop of the Força Real Mountains. The vines are located on the extreme northern side of the Roussillon on shallow rocky soils in which the bedrock is less than one metre down in most parts of the vineyards. The white quartz soil here is one of the most distinguishing parts when compared to the other areas of black schist nearby. 

Protected from the ocean winds and humidity, most of the vines have a phenomenal average age of about 70 to 100 years, with approximately 40% over 95 years old. The varietals grown include Carignan Noir, Gris and Blanc; Grenache Noir, Gris and Blanc; Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Maccabeu among others.

Certified organic since 2008 and biodynamic since 2011, the estate is in a constant pursuit of harmony between soil, vine and environment. They believe these viticultural techniques bring out the best of the fruits that they grow with so much care and compassion to the environment.