La Petite Baigneuse
Philippe Wies — Roussillon
La Petite Baigneuse is the passion project of Philippe Wies, a winemaker who, along with his wife Céline, found his true calling on the rugged, windswept slopes of the Roussillon. The name translates to "the little bather," a poetic nod to the nearby Mediterranean Sea and the refreshing, buoyant character of his wines. Since establishing the estate in 2007, Philippe has become a key figure in the region's natural wine movement, known for his meticulous work in the vineyard and a hands-on, low-tech approach in the cellar.
A Philosophy of Hands-On Terroir and Resilience
Philippe's philosophy is born from a desire to work in harmony with a challenging environment. He believes in creating wines that are not only pure but also reflect the unique forces of nature at play in the Maury appellation.
Organic & Biodynamic Farming: The vineyards have been farmed organically since the beginning, with some biodynamic principles incorporated. Philippe works to create a self-sustaining ecosystem, using practices like planting fruit and olive trees for poly-culture and experimenting with natural remedies to protect the vines.
Low Intervention: In the cellar, his approach is radically non-interventionist. All fermentations are spontaneous with native yeasts, and he avoids fining and filtration.
Zero Sulfur: With few exceptions, his wines are made with no added sulfur dioxide (SO2), a decision that requires a pristine cellar and immaculate grapes.
The Vineyards and Terroir
Domaine La Petite Baigneuse is located on the schist terroirs of Maury, a region known for its intense sun and strong winds.
Location: The vineyards are situated near the village of Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
Vineyard Area: The domaine covers about 13 hectares.
Grape Varieties: He works with a range of classic Roussillon grapes, including Grenache (Noir, Gris, and Lledoner Pelut), Carignan, Syrah, and Macabeu.
Soils & Climate: The vines are planted on black schist soils, which retain heat and contribute a distinct mineral quality to the wines. The high altitude (350 meters) and constant presence of the cold Tramontane wind temper the hot Mediterranean climate, helping to maintain freshness and acidity in the grapes.
Winemaking and Process
Philippe's cellar is a testament to his craftsmanship. He built it himself, designing everything to operate by gravity to avoid the use of pumps.
Harvest & Fermentation: Grapes are hand-harvested and vinification takes place in ambient concrete tanks. For reds, he may use de-stemmed fruit or incorporate carbonic maceration.
Aging: The wines are aged in a variety of vessels, including concrete tanks, old barrels, and foudres, to allow them to develop and stabilize naturally.
Bottling: All wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving their natural vitality and character.
Signature Wines to Discover
The wines of La Petite Baigneuse are known for their vibrant fruit, clear expression of terroir, and a unique balance of power and freshness.
Juste Ciel: A crisp, mineral-driven white wine, often a blend of Grenache Gris and Macabeu.
Olibrius: A lively and approachable red blend, often featuring Carignan, Lledoner Pelut, and Grenache.
Trinquette: Another popular red cuvée, typically a blend of Grenache and Carignan.
Address & Contact
La Petite Baigneuse is a small, personal operation. Visits are by appointment only.
Address: Les Planels - D117, 66220 Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, France