Jolly-Ferriol is an organic estate in Espira de l’Agly, in the Agly Valley region of Roussillon, France. It was formerly Domaine Ferriol, whose wines had some historic renown, having been purchased by Napoleon III and the Queen of England. The property had been abandoned for 50 years until 2005 when Isabelle Jolly and Jean-Luc Chossart bought it, renaming it Jolly-Ferriol. The couple produce wines under the Cotes Catalanes, Cotes du Roussillon-Villages AOC, Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC and Rivesaltes AOC denominations. All their wines are free from added sulfites.

Owners: Jean-Luc Chossart (06.28.84.06.57) and Isabelle Jolly.

The estate: 25 hectares of land between the Pyrenees and Corbieres mountains. There are five buildings in total, surrounded by a defensive wall forming an enclosure of 3,500 square metres (this also mitigates the effects of the region’s Tramontana wind.) The manor house and the grape-pickers’ house face south, shielded from prevailing winds. The main building, a Catalan dwelling dates to the 1600s has a two-floor cellar, one of which is partially underground and thus  naturally temperature. The other two buildings, the garage and the barn, have suffered the ravages of time. There are two wells, in use for many centuries now, still continuing to provide abundant quantities of water.

Vineyards: 2008 8.5ha

Terroir: A bend in the Agly River forms a natural arc around the property. Soils are a mix of schisty marl/stony clay (‘marnes schisteuses et argilo-caillouteux’), alluvial stones, and black schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’).

Organic certification: 2011 First vintage with full organic certification.

Sparkling wines

Pet Nat Blanc: 50% Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, 50% Muscat d’Alexandria on schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’). Fermented in vat and bottled before the end of the fermentation. Described as ‘pithy’ (Isabelle Legeron MW: 2004, p.142).

Pet Nat Rosé: 100% Carignan on schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’) and stony clay.

White wines

Blablablanc: Dry white. 100% Grenache Gris on schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’). Unoaked. 2,000 bottles.

Isadora: Dry white. Macabeu on schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’). 24 months in used Burgundy barrels. Around 1,200 bottles.

M: A Vin de France. Dry white Muscat. 80% Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, 20% Muscat d’Alexandria on schistous marl (‘marnes schisteuses’). Cool fermented in stainless steel and aged there for 6 months pre-bottling.

Pink wines

Jolly Rosé: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Stony clay. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. 1,200 bottles.

Red wines

Va Nu Pieds: The name means ‘go barefoot’. 70% Carignan Noir, 30% Grenache Noir on schistous marl. Carbonic maceration. Barrel aged for 6-12 months. Around 1,500 bottles.

Jolly Rouge: 70% Grenache Noir, 30% Carignan Noir on schistous marl. Carbonic maceration. Barrel aged for 18 months. Around 2,000 bottles.

Côtes du Roussillon-Villages AOC, Chai Moie: A blend of roughly one third each Syrah, Carignan Noir and Grenache Noir on schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’). Goblet (bush) trained vines. 24 months in used Burgundy barrels.

Côtes du Roussillon-Villages AOC, Fait d’Hiver: 40% Syrah, 35% Grenache Noir, 25% Carignan Noir on schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’). Goblet (bush) trained vines. 36 months in used Burgundy barrels. 2,500 bottles.

Syrah: Cotes Catalanes Rouge. Syrah. Goblet (bush) trained vines. 24 months in used Burgundy barrels.

Neo: 100% Grenache Noir on schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’). Goblet (bush) trained vines. Carbonic maceration. Barrel aged.

Vin Doux Naturel & Rancio wines

Fil du Temps: Sweet red fortified wine made in an oxidative style. 15% alcohol. Made from Carignan, Maccabeu on schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’). 10hl/ha. Fermented in vat. Then 6 months in demi-johns exposed to the sun. Then blended to barrels containing wine(s) from previous years. 200 bottles per year.

Muscat de Rivesaltes Blanc AOC: Sweet white fortified wine. 16% alcohol. 50% Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, 50% Muscat d’Alexandria on schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’). Pressed, juice fermented in stainless steel and muted with grape spirit.

Muscat de Rivesaltes Blanc AOC, or du Temps: Sweet white fortified wine. 50% Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, 50% Muscat d’Alexandria on schisty marl (‘marnes schisteuses’). Muted with 5% grape spirit. Sweet, amber-coloured wine with 16% alcohol. 350 bottles per year.

Rivesaltes Ambrè AOC, Masse temps: Sweet amber-coloured white fortified wine. 70% Maccabeu, 30% Grenache Gris. Fermented in vats. Muted with 5% grape spirit. Aged 36 months in barrels in a controlled temperature cellar. 350 bottles per year.

Contact

Mas Ferriol

66600 Espira de l’Agly (Pyrénées-Orientales), France

Tel+33 (0)4.68.62.08.96 | Website: www.jollyferriol.fr/en