domaine matassa
Domaine Matassa, located in Roussillon, France, stands as a beacon for natural wine enthusiasts worldwide due to its exceptional quality and the approachable nature of its wines.
The winery is under the stewardship of Tom Lubbe - a New Zealander with a South African upbringing and initial winemaking experiences. He then found his way to France through what was intended to be a brief internship at Domaine Gauby, a renowned winery in southern France. Tom's connection deepened when he married Gauby's sister, leading to him settling in France and the establishment of Domaine Matassa in 2003. The couple produced the first vintage in their own living room, before moving into Domaine Gauby's old cellars in 2004.
Domaine Matassa's wines embrace traditional Catalan grape varieties sourced from old vines, cultivated naturally, and harvested by hand. Tom adheres strictly to natural winemaking principles, employing only native yeasts and eschewing any additives, save for minimal sulfur used at bottling. Notably, the wines remain unfined. He uses various vessels for fermentation and aging, including large wooden barrels, barriques, clay, and concrete, although he favors fiberglass due to its neutrality compared to stainless steel.
Tastewise, Matassa's wines are crafted to reflect Tom's personal preferences: 'pale reds and dark whites', exhibiting a refreshing quality that counterbalances Roussillon's hot, intense climate. To achieve this, he opts for an early harvest, resulting in wines with a lower alcohol by volume (rarely exceeding 12%) that further enhances their freshness.
DFSociety is the official importer of Domaine Matassa in Vietnam.