In the 19th century, a family from Espolla in southern Catalonia settled in Argelès-sur-Mer to cultivate vines and olive trees at the foot of the Albera Massif, a mountain range where their deep connection to Roussillon grew through explorations of its natural and historical heritage. After gaining professional experience in Barcelona and Paris, the family returned to Roussillon in 2001 to revive their wine-growing tradition, partnering with Laurent de Besombes-Singla to focus on native grape varieties rooted in the region's finest terroirs.

In 2008, driven by a desire to craft fresher wines in response to climate change, they discovered the Ropidaria plateau near Tarerach, a secluded vineyard at over 500 meters altitude with more than 25 grape varieties and a unique microclimate. Cultivated with eco-responsible practices, this remarkable terroir produces wines with exceptional freshness, natural balance, and a distinct minerality, ultimately inspiring the creation of MAISON ALBERA, dedicated to preserving the authentic typicities of Roussillon.

Olivier Faucon initially embarked upon a successful career in the field of marketing and communication, working in some of the most prestigious cities across Europe and Asia. However, in his mid-forties, he and his wife made the bold decision to forsake the trappings of corporate success and instead, pursue their true passion - winemaking.After an intensive period of study in the hallowed halls of Beaune, where he obtained a BTS in viticulture and oenology, and a stint working alongside some of the most renowned vintners in Burgundy and Languedoc, he founded the Mas Combarèla estate in 2016. The estate is committed to environmentally friendly practices, and was officially certified organic in 2019.The grapes are grown without recourse to pesticides or synthetic chemicals, and the harvests are conducted entirely by hand, with a strict sorting process that results in small yields. The winemaking process is minimalistic, utilizing minimal inputs,

A setting of breath-taking beauty, where Romain TORREDEMER and Thomas MANGIN draw their roots and identity, with one ambition : produce exceptional wines and contribute to the growing reputation of this very unique terroir.

Romain and Thomas, both grandsons of winegrowers, united on this wine venture to create a single estate of organically grown 40 hectares of vines, spread over the main terroirs of Vingrau, some of them are more than a century old ! They work part of their soils with their drought horse "Papillon" (fr. "Butterfly"), and strive to restore and replant the terraces of the valley.Their interventions in the vineyards and in the cellar are limited to minimum (e.g. the addition of sulphur), yet taking into account their current constraints, and always with the aim of offering fresh, precise and balanced wines.Vineyard is worked by animal traction to avoid compacting the soil and disrupting microbial and fungal life. Biodynamic principles are used to help in that matter.

Grenache noir and its variations, together with Carignan, and Macabeu, bear the Catalan identity of the estate, helped by altitudes from 130 to 300m, multiple exposures and extremely rich geological mosaic.

Passionate about wine, travel, culture, and people, we are the French trio behind FRENCH CONNECTION. Florian and Matt have been friends for the best part of 20 years, and a shared love of wine brought us to Nathan, that Florian met through Viticulture and Oenology courses in 2022.As an airline pilot, Florian is an avid traveller spending each week in different parts of the world. Nathan is the head sommelier in a chain of Parisian luxury establishments. Beyond our shared passion to discover great wines, the dream was always there to produce our own wines. In 2023, the opportunity presented itself to partner with Olivier Faucon, a remarkable winemaker from Terrasses du Larzac PDO, to produce wines from Languedoc terroirs that we love.

Our dream could finally see the light with the FRENCH CONNECTION brand. Our wines are designed for the American market. They are filled with a real sense of place and connect our native Languedoc with California, their land of adoption.

The adventure of Château Gilbert&Gaillard was born from the meeting of two renowned globe-trotters, with an exceptional Languedoc terroir. Philippe Gaillard and François Gilbert are journalists, tasters and wine critics. Creators of the Gilbert & Gaillard international wine guide, they also edit a magazine in English broadcasted on the 5 continents. Their countless travels around the world have allowed them to understand viticulture under all its forms and at all latitudes : South Africa, California, Italy, Spain, Portugal...

With these 25 years of tasting experience acquired worldwide, François Gilbert and Philippe Gaillard chose to put their know-how at the service of an exceptional wine estate in Languedoc, Château Gilbert&Gaillard. Their vocation has been, for the last 25 years, to defend local wines on international markets. Terre Sauvage is one of their brands, dedicated to varietal wines. The brand reflects perfectly this will to bring the best fruit-forward and elegant fine wines to enthusiasts, at an exceptional quality/price ratio!

In the 19th century, a family from Espolla in southern Catalonia settled in Argelès-sur-Mer to cultivate vines and olive trees at the foot of the Albera Massif, a mountain range where their deep connection to Roussillon grew through explorations of its natural and historical heritage. After gaining professional experience in Barcelona and Paris, the family returned to Roussillon in 2001 to revive their wine-growing tradition, partnering with Laurent de Besombes-Singla to focus on native grape varieties rooted in the region's finest terroirs.

In 2008, driven by a desire to craft fresher wines in response to climate change, they discovered the Ropidaria plateau near Tarerach, a secluded vineyard at over 500 meters altitude with more than 25 grape varieties and a unique microclimate. Cultivated with eco-responsible practices, this remarkable terroir produces wines with exceptional freshness, natural balance, and a distinct minerality, ultimately inspiring the creation of MAISON ALBERA, dedicated to preserving the authentic typicities of Roussillon.

Passionate about wine, travel, culture, and people, we are the French trio behind FRENCH CONNECTION. Florian and Matt have been friends for the best part of 20 years, and a shared love of wine brought us to Nathan, that Florian met through Viticulture and Oenology courses in 2022.As an airline pilot, Florian is an avid traveller spending each week in different parts of the world. Nathan is the head sommelier in a chain of Parisian luxury establishments. Beyond our shared passion to discover great wines, the dream was always there to produce our own wines. In 2023, the opportunity presented itself to partner with Olivier Faucon, a remarkable winemaker from Terrasses du Larzac PDO, to produce wines from Languedoc terroirs that we love.

Our dream could finally see the light with the FRENCH CONNECTION brand. Our wines are designed for the American market. They are filled with a real sense of place and connect our native Languedoc with California, their land of adoption.