Solen - 2017

Domaine les Aurelles: a rare gem from Languedoc waiting to be discovered

After several years at the prestigious Château Latour, where he refined his craft and developed a demanding vision of the winemaking profession, Basile Saint-Germain fulfilled his dream in 1995: to create a winery that reflects his philosophy. In the Languedoc region, on the exceptional terroir of Pézenas, he founded Domaine les Aurelles — a discreet estate that, over the years, has become a true reference for lovers of authentic and elegant wines.

An exceptional estate committed to the pursuit of excellence

From the very beginning, Basile Saint-Germain embarked on an almost obsessive quest for quality. He selected plots of old vines planted in unique, poor, and well-drained soils capable of revealing great aromatic complexity. The meticulous work in the vineyard, combined with natural, unaltered vinification, allows Domaine les Aurelles to stand out for the exceptional purity of its wines.

The Aurel and Solen cuvées quickly became the flagship wines of the estate. Made from traditional Languedoc grape varieties such as Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan, they are known for their remarkable finesse, often compared to that of great Pinot Noirs. This distinctive style — fresh, elegant, and deep — clearly breaks with regional norms and earns admiration from the most demanding critics.

National recognition and prestigious awards

The outstanding quality of the wines from Domaine les Aurelles has not gone unnoticed. The estate has consistently received the maximum number of stars in the Guide Vert by Revue du Vin de France (RVF) — the highest recognition for a winery of this caliber. The Guide Bettane & Desseauve 2013 was equally enthusiastic:

“Aurel and Solen draw delicate Pinot Noir-like structures from traditional Languedoc grape varieties. […] The estate produces wines that break stylistically from Languedoc classics and deserves a visit for the originality of its production, focused on finesse and elegance while expressing an uncommon intensity of flavor.”

A new era with Matthieu Gufflet

At the end of 2022, a new chapter began for Domaine les Aurelles with its acquisition by entrepreneur Matthieu Gufflet, a passionate wine lover aiming to bring this Languedoc gem to international acclaim. In line with the work of Basile Saint-Germain, Matthieu Gufflet intends to preserve the estate’s unique identity while bringing in fresh momentum.

The Aurel and Solen cuvées continue to express the full potential of the Pézenas terroir with brilliance. Their consistency, precision, and elegance make them essential references for connoisseurs in search of outstanding wines from southern France.