For over two centuries, the La-Fage family has been rooted in the rugged, beautiful lands of Roussillon. It is a legacy of worldly and generational knowledge, rooted in Roussillon, which forms the very soul of Château Saint-Roch. After traveling the globe as an acclaimed international winemaker, Jean-Marc Lafage felt the powerful pull of his family's origins, returning in 2005 to acquire the estate in the ancient village of Maury. His return was not just a business decision; it was a homecoming.
Here, in the majestic Agly Valley, every wine tells a story forged by wind and stone. The vineyards, some over 50 years old, cling to their unique clay-shale soils with a limestone base, a difficult terroir that forces the vines to struggle, concentrating the grapes with an incredible depth of character. Above all, the powerful, dry "Tramontana" winds, a constant presence from the sea, act as a natural sculptor, protecting the vines from disease and imbuing the grapes with a singular freshness. It is a place of raw beauty, watched over by the dramatic silhouette of the ancient Cathar castle of Quéribus.
Jean-Marc’s winemaking philosophy perfectly marries this rich tradition with modern innovation with sustainable commitments. He is renowned for pioneering regenerative viticulture practices, preserving old vines and planting new varietals, cultivating and using biochar for water retention, etc.
Jean-Marc has meticulously restored and updated the cellars, knowing that the most advanced technology is simply a tool to honor the land's ancient wisdom. He allows the soul of the terroir to be fully expressed, blending the rugged power of old vines with the precision of modern stainless steel to create wines of exceptional purity and character.
This is especially true of his Rosé, a wine that truly captures the essence of the place. With every sip, you experience the taste of the Mediterranean breeze, captured in a Rosé bottle—a vibrant, fresh, and compelling expression of the Roussillon sun, the wind, and the stone. It is a wine that is both a reflection of a family's deep history and a toast to the living, breathing landscape they call home.
Château Saint-Roch Old Vines White reflects the wild, sunlit soul of Roussillon. Sourced from dry-grown old vines rooted in black schist soils, this blend delivers vibrant aromas of lime zest and ripe pear. The palate is precise and mineral, with fresh tension, elegant texture and a long, saline finish shaped by careful fermentation and balanced aging in concrete and French oak.
Saint-Roch Old Vines Rosé captures the bright, sun-warmed spirit of Roussillon. Crafted from old Grenache and Syrah vines rooted in black schist soils, it shows delicate floral aromas and fresh strawberry notes. The palate is lively and precise, with vibrant acidity balanced by generous fruit and a silky texture. A refined yet joyful rosé that feels like summer in every sip.
Saint-Roch Old Vines Red expresses the raw, sun-soaked character of Roussillon. Old Grenache and Syrah vines rooted in black schist soils deliver a generous, fruit-driven wine with notes of ripe blueberries and cherries, layered with hints of black olive, fresh herbs and dark chocolate. Richly textured yet balanced, with sweet tannins and a Mediterranean soul that lingers long after the last sip.
Kerbuccio is the dark, intense heart of Château Saint-Roch. Old Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre vines rooted in black schist give shape to a dense yet seamless wine, packed with black cherry and violet aromas, wrapped in exotic spice. Aged 18 months in new French oak, it’s powerful but precise, with depth, tension and a long, seductive finish that echoes the rugged Roussillon landscape.
