Olivier Pithon

Olivier Pithon has a deeply rooted history in the world of wine since his childhood, having been introduced to it from an early age thanks to his winegrower grandfather in Anjou. This passion intensified with the presence of his big brother, also a winegrower on the slopes of Layon, who settled there when he was only four years old. Happy memories marked his childhood, spent in his brother's cellar, fueling his love for wine. At the age of 14, he began working in the latter's vineyards, developing an early sensitivity to vines and wine. At the age of 18, Olivier left his native region to continue his wine training in the Bordeaux region, he then explored other wine regions such as Jurançon and Beaujolais. Once his training was completed, he worked for five years in the Saint-Émilion region, acquiring solid expertise in viticulture and winemaking. During his journey, Olivier met important figures in the world of wine, notably Stéphane Derenoncourt, a self-taught winemaker from Bordeaux, who introduced him to the importance of creating balanced and delicious wines. He also learned the importance of love of a job well done, precision in the choice of interventions, and respect for the raw material. His desire to strike out on his own and make wine from his own vines finally came to fruition in 2001, when he found an ideal location in Calce, in the Pyrénées-Orientales. It is here that his dream of owning his vines, his barrels and his wine came true. Its vines are located on an exceptional terroir, with soils of marl, schist and limestone, and grape varieties such as Macabeu, Grenache Gris, Carignan, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre. From the beginning, respect for the land and the vines was essential for him. He quickly embraced organic farming and, later, biodynamics, under the leadership of Jacques Mell, a biodynamic advisor. This approach is part of its desire to best express the potential of its terroirs and to obtain quality grapes. In addition to its commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture, it strives to preserve the biodiversity of its environment. Animals are present on the estate, Laïs, the name of one of his vintages, is quite simply the cow which continually follows him! Olivier maintains beehives, plants trees, sows plant cover in the vineyards. This global approach to agriculture is at the heart of its philosophy, contributing to the creation of sensitive, fair and environmentally friendly wines.