Château Lauriga - Domaines Paul Mas

Domaine de Lauriga – The Catalan soul of Roussillon, passed down through time

Some estates feel as though they were placed there by History itself. Domaine de Lauriga is one of them. Acquired by Jean-Claude Mas in 2016, this Roussillon gem embodies a form of viticulture deeply rooted in Catalan culture, balancing medieval heritage with contemporary energy.

Located halfway between Perpignan and Thuir, the birthplace of Byrrh, the estate overlooks the majestic silhouette of Mount Canigou and sits within a landscape shaped by wind, stone and sun.

A millennia-old history written into the land

Domaine de Lauriga traces its origins back to the Middle Ages. Part of its land once belonged to ancient Laurinya and was granted in 1068 by the King of France to the Abbey of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa. This vineyard later became the renowned Vigné del Rey, whose wines were served at the court of the King of Aragon.

A mythical vine still stands today: the “Carignan del Rey”, over 100 years old, a living witness to this prestigious past.

Long before Jean-Claude Mas acquired the estate, René and Jacqueline Clar shaped Domaine de Lauriga with passion, restoring an old Catalan farmhouse and structuring a modern vineyard without ever denying the soul of the place.

A diverse terroir, the signature of Roussillon

Today, the vineyard covers nearly 68 hectares, spread across several parcels with distinct identities. All three major Roussillon terroirs are represented:

– stony scree from mountain foothills, combining schist, flint and basalt,
– sandy soils,
– clay-limestone soils.

This geological mosaic offers remarkable expressive richness, allowing each wine to find its balance between power, freshness and depth.

A demanding yet protective climate

The climate is resolutely Mediterranean: hot summers, mild winters, with rainfall concentrated in spring and autumn. But nature offers a powerful ally here: the Tramontane.

This dry northern wind regularly sweeps through the vineyard, naturally sanitising the vines, limiting disease pressure and reducing the need for phytosanitary treatments. A precious asset for more respectful and precise viticulture.

Catalan and Mediterranean grape varieties in the spotlight

Domaine de Lauriga cultivates a wide range of grape varieties, blending local traditions with more recent plantings. Carignan, white and black Grenache, Muscat of Alexandria and Muscat à Petits Grains grow alongside Syrah, Mourvèdre, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

This diversity allows the production of wines under the AOC Côtes du Roussillon (white, red and rosé) as well as IGP Pays Catalan, offering great freedom of expression to the vineyard.

Wines with a strong Catalan identity

The wines of Domaine de Lauriga are sun-drenched without being heavy, generous yet always balanced. They tell the story of wind, warm stone, old vines and the nearby Mediterranean. Bright whites, deep reds and indulgent rosés: each cuvée bears the signature of a sincere and deeply rooted terroir.

How do wind and old vines shape the wines of Domaine de Lauriga ?

The constant influence of the Tramontane and the exceptional age of certain vines, particularly the century-old Carignan, play a decisive role in the style of Domaine de Lauriga’s wines. They promote healthy, slow ripening, naturally concentrate the grapes and enhance aromatic complexity. This combination brings structure, intensity and balance, while also giving the wines an impressive ageing potential for the Roussillon.