LES MAOÙ
VAUCLUSE
In the heart of Gordes, an area better known for breezy vacationers than for soulful wines, Vincent and Aurélie Garreta are producing some of the most earnest, balanced, super glou glou we’ve ever tasted.
The couple is a true team whose warmth and radiance translates directly to the grapes they farm—Grenache, Clairette, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Aubun (a local variety on the verge of extinction), Cinsaut (spelled the ancient way, taking the lead of renowned ampélographe Pierre Galet)—and the people who help them. Come harvest, they employ eleven workers (eight women, three men) from 8am to 4pm for a period of 10-15 days, depending on the year.
The workers break for a pause at 10am (café and pâté, wine on “special days”) and then lunch in the vines a few hours later (“real local proper food + tasting wine”). After they’re done in the vines, they take turns accompanying Vincent to the chai in groups of 3-4. In the chai, they add grapes to the tanks and footstomp before they wash the boxes, relax with a cold beer around 7pm, and return to their campsite on a nearby farm (paid for by the Garretas). Vincent finishes the day by cleaning the chai and is usually home to Aurélie by 9pm.
Much of the juice undergoes semi-carbonic maceration and ferments in cement, at which point it is left to age until blended and bottled in the spring. The results are jewels of varying degrees of ruby-red: from the light and bright “Entre Chats” + “Au P’tit Bonheur” to the fresh and lively “Vaste Programme” + “L’un Dans L’autre” to the deeper, darker “Entre Les Gouttes” + “Hauts Les Coeurs !” — all sure to deliver un coup de foudre.
LES MAOÙ
Country: France
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-region or Appellation: Ventoux
Winemakers and Owners: Vincent Garreta, Aurélie Garreta
Viticulture: Certified Organic Since 2014 (but parcels have been farmed organically for over two decades prior to 2014 & were certified organic under the previous land owner)
Terroir: Limestone slopes from the Monts de Vaucluse; alluvial sand and clay
Size: 10 ha
Harvest: Labor Facts
Instagram: @les_maou
CURRENT RELEASES
LES MAOÙ :: A Venir
100% Carignan Blanc. 75% direct-pressed, 25% maceration of 5 days. Blended and fermented together in stainless steel tank before bottling in the spring.
Vintage: 2023
Grapes: Carignan Blanc
Style: White Wine
ABV: 12.5%
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 15om
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: 25% macerated for 5 days, the rest are direct-pressed
Aging: In stainless-steel tank through the winter
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: Minimal at bottling
LES MAOÙ :: Rosé
A direct press of Carignan Noir, Clairette Rose, Terret Blanc and Gros Vert. One night of débourbage (settling) without cooling before racking for fermentation in stainless, where it stays for the winter until it’s bottled in the spring.
Vintage: 2023
Grapes: Carignan Noir, Clairette Rose, Terret Blanc and Gros Vert
Style: Rosé Wine
ABV: 12%
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 15om
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Grapes are direct pressed. One night of débourbage (settling) without cooling before racking for fermentation in stainless steel
Aging: Wine rests in same stainless vessel and stays for the winter until it’s bottled in the spring
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: Minimal at bottling
LES MAOÙ :: Au P’tit Bonheur
This cuvée is a very light expression of the Cinsaut grape variety (spelled the ancient way). Vincent believes a short maceration allows for the grape’s distinct flowery nose to finally take its seat at the proverbial table, balancing delicate aromas with intensely juicy, slightly carbonic notes on the palate. The slight sprinkle of Grenache serves as a sort of fairy dust, adding length to guarantee a happy finish in your mouth.
Vintage: 2023
Grapes: 70% Cinsaut, 30% Grenache
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 12.5%
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Age of Vines: 50 years (Cinsaut) & 35 years (Grenache)
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 15om
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Grapes are crushed and macerate/ferment separately for three to five days before pressing
Aging: for 2-3 months in stainless steel or resin tanks
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: Minimal at bottling
LES MAOÙ :: Entre Chats
This blend of light & bright Grenache, Alicante, Carignan Noir and Clairette is what Vincent calls “the little cuvée.” He blends a little bit of tannin and extraction with a little bit of crunch and spice, resulting in a demure bombshell of strawberry & dusty cherry notes. A blend of semi-carbonic maceration and direct-pressing of grapes. The name of the cuvée translates to an interweaving of distinct elements into something seamless and unified, in this case the assemblage of white and red grapes that change from vintage to vintage. Similarly, the classic ballet jump entrechat refers to the sensational crossing of the legs back and forth in rapid succession, a movement that evokes the way our hearts fluttered the first time we tasted this wine. Fittingly for a team of cat lovers, Entre Chats continues to make us purr.
Vintage: 2022
Grapes: Grenache, Alicante, Carignan Noir, Clairette
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 13%
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Age of Vines: 70 years
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 150m
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Grenache and Alicante undergo semi-carbonic maceration in direct-pressed Carignan and Clairette juice.
Aging: for 2-3 months in stainless steel or resin tanks
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: Minimal at bottling
LES MAOÙ :: Haut Les Coeurs !
Cheer up! Semi-carbonic maceration of Carignan and Cinsault in cement followed by foot-stomping. According to Vincent, this cuvée is a “pure Carignan reflecting the cold place where it grows. It is picked just mature, giving it a dark and stony nose.” A beautifully structured, medium-bodied red that will take you from Thanksgiving to the holidays and all the way through the coldest months of the year. If you’re looking for creature comforts look no further. Cue a fireplace, some flannel, a couple domesticated animals and a bottle of this wine.
Vintage: 2023
Grapes: Carignan, CInsault
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 13%
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Age of Vines: 70 years & 30 years
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 15om
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Semi-carbonic maceration in cement tank, then stomped by foot.
Aging: for 2-3 months in stainless steel or resin tanks
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: Minimal at bottling
LES MAOÙ :: Vaste Programme
It requires no modicum of effort to get with the programme when what’s on the menu is this fresh and lively Beaujolais-style, carbonic maceration of Carignan, Grenache, Clairette and Aubun. Aubun, a local and disappearing red grape, is a black-skinned variety that integrates cautious acidity with soft tannins. Bursting with wild floral notes, red berries, ripe plums and white pepper, this fruit-forward and light- to medium-bodied glou glou juice is as charming as it is versatile. Serve it slightly chilled for an even more quaffable delight.
Vintage: 2023
Grapes: Carignan, Grenache, Aubun, Clairette
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 13%
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 15om
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Red grapes undergo 7 days of semi-carbonic maceration, Clairette is foot-trodden
Aging: for 2-3 months in stainless steel or resin tanks
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: Minimal at bottling
PREVIOUS RELEASES
LES MAOÙ :: Plan B
A direct press of Grenache Blanc and Grenache Noir, fermented together in stainless steel tank and bottled in the spring with 10-15mg/l of so2 and no filtration.
Vintage: 2021
Grapes: Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc
Style: White Wine
ABV: 12.5
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 15om
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Direct-pressed and vinified separately
Aging: In stainless-steel tank through the winter
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: 15 mg/L
LES MAOÙ :: Entre Les Gouttes
The biggest, grandest of the Les Maoù line-up is this blend of late-harvested and semi-carbonically macerated Carignan and Aubun — bursting with ultra-ripe red berries and dark plums, but balanced with freshness and a beautiful tannic structure on the finish. This is sure to be one of the best wines to warm your soul this winter as you hunker down for full-on hygge.
Vintage: 2021
Grapes: Carignan (70%), Aubun (30%)
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 12%
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Age of Vines: 50 years
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 15om
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Late harvest grapes undergo semi-carbonic maceration in cement and are then stomped by foot.
Aging: for 2-3 months in stainless steel or resin tanks
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: 10 mg/L added at bottling
LES MAOÙ :: Faire Avec
A midnight purple and moody Alicante that is delightfully light on its feet. An exuberant display of the signature Les Maoù freshness.
Vintage: 2021
Grapes: Alicante (70%) & Grenache Noir (30%)
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 13%
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Age of Vines: 35 years
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 15om
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Whole-clusters undergo carbonic maceration for eight days; Alicante and Grenache vinified separately before blending in the Spring
Aging: Rested all winter in stainless steel or resin tanks
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: 10 mg/L added at bottling
LES MAOÙ :: L’un Dans L’autre
What? A carbonically-macerated Cabernet Sauvignon?! Sounds cool because it is, and makes you wonder why we see this so rarely in the wines we drink. The use of carbonic maceration results in a Fruit Gushers-like juiciness and agreeably light tannins, while the choice of Cabernet Sauvignon brings the variety’s classic deep red cherry and vegetal jalapeño notes, coupled with a level of depth. The result is a surprisingly long finish that will turn your expectations inside-out.
Vintage: 2020
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 13%
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Age of Vines: 70 years & 30 years
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 15om
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Undergoes semi-carbonic maceration.
Aging: for 2-3 months in stainless steel or resin tanks
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: 15 mg/L added at bottling
LES MAOÙ :: Pétillant Rouge
Wild strawberries brace the tongue with earthy and fruity complexity in this sparkling red pet-nat made of Grenache, Carignan, and Gros vert. Aged for over 2 years over the lie, this pet-nat has a structural richness and a maturity that surprises the palate.
Vintage: 2017
Grapes: Grenache (45%), carignan (22%), Gros vert (33%)
Style: Sparkling Red Wine
ABV: 13%
Region: Vaucluse (between the Rhône and Provence)
Sub-Region or Appellation: Ventoux
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Age of Vines: 70 years & 30 years
Soils: Alluvial soil / mixed
Elevation: 15om
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Grapes are crushed and rested for 2 days in tank, then pressed and vinified méthode ancestrale.
Aging: Two years sur lie before disgorgement this past winter (2021)
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: No sulfur added.
Harvest team congregating in the chai. Photos courtesy of Vincent Garreta.
All bottle shots courtesy of Bluebird Wine & Spirits.