Mataburro

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Mataburro 〰️

Mataburro is a natural wine domaine located in Rivesaltes, within the Roussillon region of southern France. Established in 2017 by Laurent Roger and Mélissa Ingrand, the winery is named after a nearby railway line—“Mataburro” translates to “donkey killer” in Catalan, referencing a tragic incident in 1910 when two donkeys were struck by a train on its inaugural journey .

Founders and Philosophy

Laurent Roger hails from a lineage of winemakers; his grandfather planted Grenache vines in 1949, and his father expanded the vineyard in the 1990s with Merlot. Although his father sold most of the family's 40 hectares in 2000, he retained three hectares, which Laurent and Mélissa later revitalized. Laurent's passion for natural wine was kindled during his tenure at Paris's renowned wine bar, Le Verre Volé. He further honed his skills under the mentorship of Alain Castex of Le Casot des Mailloles, a pivotal figure in the natural wine movement Vineyard and Winemaking Practices

The estate's vineyards span approximately 6.5 hectares, encompassing eight grape varieties: Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, Merlot, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Macabeu, Muscat Petit Grain, and Muscat d’Alexandrie . Emphasizing biodiversity and soil vitality, Laurent and Mélissa employ organic and biodynamic farming methods, eschewing plowing in favor of green manure planting. They utilize minimal treatments, limited to sulfur, copper, and essential oils .

In the cellar, their approach is non-interventionist: fermentations rely on native yeasts, with no fining, filtration, or added sulfites. Short macerations and gentle infusions are preferred to produce wines that are light, fresh, and aromatic .

Notable Wines

  • Otium: A 100% Grenache cuvée from 80-year-old vines, characterized by its bright cherry fruit and light body.

  • Idoine: A blend of Merlot and Grenache, offering juicy, mineral notes reminiscent of fresh candy

  • Totem: A darker red wine made from Mourvèdre and Grenache, aged in amphora and barrels, showcasing dark fruits and smooth tannins

  • Quartet: A blend of Mourvèdre and Grenache, noted for its balance of ripe fruit flavors and refreshing acidity.

  • Memo: A lighter, salty Macabeu wine from a parcel that once belonged to Laurent’s grandfather.

  • Guru 2023: A tribute to Alain Castex, this cuvée is crafted from Grenache Gris, Macabeu, and Grenache Noir, aged in amphorae for five months

Mataburro's wines are celebrated for their delicate structure, freshness, and expressive character, reflecting both the Mediterranean terroir and the winemakers' commitment to natural practices.

Where to Find Mataburro Wines

Direct from Mataburro & Online Retailers (Global)

Mataburro Official Website **The best place for winery information.** Their website provides details on their philosophy, vineyards, and wines. Direct sales may be available (contact them directly).
Wine-Searcher.com **Your primary resource for finding retailers globally.** Search for "Mataburro" to find various merchants listing their wines and compare prices. Given their cult status, stock can be very limited.
MORE Natural Wine (Online, Ships EU) A leading online retailer specializing in natural wines, based in Berlin, Germany. They frequently stock Mataburro wines and ship across the EU.
MYSA Natural Wine (Online, Ships US) A prominent online retailer for natural wines in the US, often featuring various Mataburro cuvées.
Gourmet Hunters (Spain, Online, Ships EU) An online retailer for natural wines based in Spain that often carries Mataburro wines and ships within the EU.
Highbury Library (UK Online Retailer) A UK-based online bottle shop with a strong selection of natural wines, frequently stocking Mataburro.
Cuvee Natuurlijk (Belgium, Online) A Belgian online natural wine shop that features Mataburro, shipping within Belgium and potentially other EU countries.

International Retailers & Distributors (Examples & General Tips)

Mataburro wines are sought after by natural wine enthusiasts globally. They are distributed through a network of specialized importers and independent natural wine shops.

  • **United States (Examples of Importers/Distributors/Retailers):**
    • **Thirst Merchants (Online, US):** A curated online natural wine shop that has offered Mataburro wines.
    • **Parched.wine (Online, US):** Another online retailer that has carried Mataburro.
    • **Spön Bottle Shop and Wine Bar (Newtown, Australia - ships within Australia):** While based in Australia, this shows the global reach of distributors. Check their US partners.
    • *Contact natural wine importers in your state/region.* Prominent natural wine importers in the US (e.g., Jenny & Francois Selections, Zev Rovine Selections) may carry them or know their distributors.
  • **United Kingdom:**
    • **Highbury Library (London):** As mentioned, they are a strong retailer.
    • *Look for independent wine merchants and natural wine bars in major UK cities like London, Manchester, Bristol.*
  • **Australia:**
    • **Living Wines (Importer):** A key importer for Mataburro in Australia, providing detailed information about the wines and often listing where they are sold.
    • **Spön Bottle Shop and Wine Bar (Newtown):** Carries Mataburro wines.
    • **Odd Culture Bottle Shop (Sydney):** Also lists Mataburro wines.
  • **France:**
    • Local natural wine shops (caves à vin, cavistes) and wine bars (bars à vin, caves à manger) across France, particularly in the Roussillon, Languedoc, and major cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, are likely to stock Mataburro.
    • *Check with online French natural wine specialists like Vinnouveau.fr or JusdelaVigne.*
  • **Switzerland (Your Current Location):**
    • **WineYou.it (Italy-based, ships to Switzerland):** This retailer lists Mataburro wines and may ship to Switzerland.
    • *As for direct Swiss importers, you would need to inquire with natural wine specialized shops in major Swiss cities (Geneva, Zurich, Basel, Lausanne) to see which importers they work with for Roussillon natural wines.*
  • **Asia (e.g., Japan, South Korea):**
    • **Mottox (Japan):** Has been listed as a distributor in Japan.
    • **AWINE Seoul (South Korea):** Has also carried Mataburro wines.
  • **Independent Natural Wine Shops & Restaurants:**
    • *Your best strategy is to visit or call high-quality, independent wine shops and natural wine bars/restaurants.* They are the most likely to curate wines from sought-after natural producers like Mataburro.