Rafaël Raybois

Rafaël Raybois, just 30 years old, is a young talent in the world of natural wine. Although a geographer by training, his passion for natural wine led him to embrace viticulture at the age of 20. He gained experience working alongside Valentin Vallès and the Soulier Brothers, who are leading figures of the Southern Rhône New Wave. He established his estate in 2020 in the Cèze valley, in the Gard department, in the north of the region.
Rafaël's 8 hectares of vines are mainly on sandy soils, which contrasts with the traditional terroirs of the region. He cultivates various grape varieties such as Syrah, Viognier, Carignan, Clairette, Cinsault, and many others. His entire vineyard is being converted to organic farming, and Rafaël does not use any synthetic products. Its work philosophy is based on practices that respect the environment and biodiversity.
Rafaël Raybois pays great attention to the quality of the vines, carrying out most tasks manually and minimizing the use of machinery. It also limits doses of copper and sulfur to preserve soil health. His estate is surrounded by hedges and forests to encourage biodiversity and natural pest control.
In the cellar, Rafael follows the same philosophy as in the vineyards. He produces natural and authentic wines which reflect the characteristics of the Rhone terroir. Its wines are made without inputs, without adding sulfur or oenological products, without fining or filtration. He favors natural yeasts for fermentation and closely monitors the winemaking process. The wines are vinified from direct pressing or carbonic macerations, then aged in vats or barrels.
Rafaël Raybois' range of wines includes whites, reds and rosés, such as Karma Rouge, Karma Noir, Karma Rosé, Andromeda Side A and Andromeda Side B. These wines are praised for their freshness , their artisanal character, and their authenticity. Rafael's approach to natural wine production is applauded, and he is considered a promising winemaker who we will hear a lot about in the years to come. Its attentive and respectful approach to nature offers a unique taste experience for wine lovers.