Domaine Matassa: Champion of Natural Winemaking in Roussillon

Domaine Matassa, established by Tom Lubbe in 2003, has gained a cult status among natural wine enthusiasts. Located in the Pyrenees-Orientales region of Roussillon, France, the estate spans 15 hectares of vineyards, with vines ranging from 30 to 115 years old. Tom Lubbe, originally from South Africa, moved to France after an internship at Domaine Gauby, where he married Nathalie Gauby and started his own winery​​.

Biodynamic and Organic Practices
From its inception, Domaine Matassa has been farmed organically, receiving certification from Ecocert in 2010. The vineyards focus on indigenous Catalan varieties such as Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Muscat d’Alexandrie, Lladonner Pelut (Catalan Grenache), Carignan, and Mourvèdre. Tom Lubbe employs biodynamic preparations and minimal intervention techniques, emphasizing the health and resilience of the vine root systems to produce balanced, low-alcohol wines with minimal sulfites​.

Innovative Winemaking Techniques
Tom Lubbe is known for his avant-garde winemaking style. He avoids the use of synthetic additives, opting for spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts and aging wines in a variety of vessels, including fiberglass, which he prefers for its neutrality. His wines often have a lower alcohol content, rarely exceeding 12%, and are crafted to maintain freshness and vibrancy even in the hot climate of Roussillon​.

Tom Lubbe's dedication to natural winemaking has positioned Domaine Matassa as a leader in the natural wine movement, inspiring many young winemakers to pursue similar paths.