At the base of the Pyrenees in the village of Calce, Domaine de l'Horizon brings an outsider's eye to one of the Roussillon's most exciting terroirs.
Backstory
German-born Thomas Teibert founded the estate in Calce in 2006, a year after meeting the influential local grower Gerard Gauby. Teibert arrived with a deep technical background, having been winemaker at Manincor in the Alto Adige, an export manager for the Austrian cooperage Stockinger, and a consultant to small wineries in France and Italy. In recent years the oenologist Emmanuelle Maltas has joined the project, working alongside the Christ family to carry the estate forward while preserving its character.
The Region
Calce sits in the Roussillon, in France's far south near the Spanish border, with the snow-capped Pyrenees on the horizon. The vineyards lie on a mix of limestone, schist and marl soils that lend the wines both structure and lift.
Vineyards and Farming
The estate farms old vines, with parcels averaging around seventy years of age, and is certified biodynamic by Biodyvin. Red varieties include Carignan, Grenache Noir and Syrah, while the whites are built on Macabeu, Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc, with some Muscat.
The Wines
The range spans both colours, from the entry L'Esprit de l'Horizon bottlings to the flagship cuvees, all expressing the high, wind-swept terroirs around Calce. The wines pair Mediterranean depth with the freshness that comes from old vines and biodynamic farming on poor mountain soils.
