José Carvalho ran the tiny and short-lived domaine La Cave des Nomades in Banyuls, where in a relatively short time he created some of the most sought-after wines being made in the south of France.

José is Portuguese and has lived and worked all over Europe. After visiting Roussillon many times and playing music while on holidays, he fell in love with the region, with natural wine and with the collection of wonderful and wonderfully like-minded people there. So he saved as much money as possible and purchased a couple of hectares high in the hills above the town.

This is some of the most dramatic terroir in Europe. The soils are dominated by schist and, as such, the wines can have delicious maturity and ripeness coupled with genuine freshness and minerality. For an area as warm and sunny as this, the wines are strikingly graceful and effortless.

José has been well mentored by some of the regions most legendary growers. He counts Manuel di Vecchi Staraz from Vinyer de la Ruca among his close friends and the two shared the now well-known facility Les 9 Caves with other heavyweights such as Bruno Duchene. It's a hotbed of energy, talent, amazing wine and excellent food.

Since beginning in Banyuls, José slowly acquired more land and even took the lease of one of the old parcels farmed by Alain Castex. He eventually had a mix of terroirs and a spread of both red and white varieties.

José has a great palate and is patient, intelligent and forward-thinking. The wines, now collectors’ items, are firm favourites amongst vignerons in France. He has, sadly, ended the project to move back home to Portugal, but has plans to make wine again there, and we eagerly anticipate news of this exciting next project.