Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE DE LA PERDRIX: ANDRÉ AND VIRGINIE GIL PAY TRIBUTE TO A RENOWNED PAINTER

359 Views Posted on: 2024-06-05
 

Domaine de la Perdrix: A Vineyard with a Rich Legacy

Surrounded by just over 45 hectares of vineyards, the elegant, orange-facaded Domaine de la Perdrix might seem modern at first glance, but its origins date back to 1820. In 1997, André Gil, inheritor of a long lineage of winemakers, took over the estate with his wife Virginie. As soon as they stepped into the vineyard, the couple embarked on constructing a brand-new winery and renamed the vineyard "Domaine de la Perdrix." Virginie explains, "The name is a tribute to André's grandfather, Dr. Suspuglas. He was a doctor as well as a renowned Catalan painter. His canvases often depicted red partridges, which is why you’ll find these same partridges on all our labels."

A Typically Mediterranean Terroir

The Domaine de la Perdrix vineyard boasts a terroir typical of the Roussillon region: muddy, clayey, and extremely stony soils on the surface. "Our terroir is a true mosaic of harsh and dry soils. That’s why we vinify each parcel separately. We then blend several grape varieties, ensuring that our wines reflect as closely as possible the expression of this typically Mediterranean terroir," André and Virginie explain. At Domaine de la Perdrix, the primary grape varieties cultivated for red wines are Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, while the white wines are made from Grenache Blanc, Maccabeu, Muscat of Alexandria, and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.