RECERCA | Jess Albero and Laurent Pujol
Recerca is the project of Jess Albero and Laurent Pujol, born from years of exploration within the vineyards and natural wine community of Southern France. The name means “research” in Catalan, reflecting their enduring curiosity and commitment to understanding the diverse landscapes, grape varieties, and traditions of the region.
After years working on small négociant projects and sourcing fruit from some of the South's most respected growers, Jess and Laurent gradually established their own vineyards and cellar in the rugged hills between the Corbières and Roussillon. Today, they farm organically, working with old vines rooted in schist, marl, and limestone soils shaped by the Mediterranean climate.
In the cellar, whole-bunch fermentations and minimal intervention are central to their approach, producing wines that balance the warmth and generosity of the south with remarkable freshness, energy, and precision. Every bottle reflects their belief that great wine is an ongoing process of discovery.
A beautifully pure expression of Macabeu from the dark schist slopes of the Côte Catalane. Direct pressed and vinified with a gentle hand, Mas Noir 2023 captures the brighter, more mineral side of Southern France. The nose is lifted and inviting, with notes of preserved lemon, white peach, fennel pollen, and wild Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, the wine is focused and energetic, combining juicy orchard fruit with a distinctive saline edge and the subtle smoky minerality that schist soils often impart. Refreshing yet quietly complex, it balances Mediterranean generosity with precision and drinkability, finishing long, dry, and effortlessly moreish.
Winemakers | Jess Albero & Laurent Pujol
Region | Hautes-Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | Macabeu
Style | White
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Black schist and Clay
Altitude | 150 m
Vinification
Mas Noir 2023 is produced from organically farmed Macabeu grown on black schist soils overlooking the Mediterranean. The grapes are harvested by hand and direct pressed immediately upon arrival at the cellar, preserving freshness, purity, and the delicate aromatic profile of the variety.
Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts and no intervention, allowing both the grape and the vineyard to speak clearly. The absence of skin maceration emphasises the wine's crystalline fruit, saline tension, and mineral precision, while élevage on fine lees brings texture and balance without masking its vibrant character. Bottled without sulphur, unfined and unfiltered, Mas Noir is a transparent expression of place — bright, energetic, and unmistakably Mediterranean.
A rare and captivating expression of Macabeo, shaped by a decade of patient oxidative ageing in barrel. Solarium 2014 draws inspiration from the great rancio traditions of the Mediterranean, transforming direct-pressed fruit into a wine of extraordinary depth and complexity. The nose unfolds with layers of toasted walnut, dried orange peel, salted caramel, chamomile, and warm spice, interwoven with notes of preserved lemon and sea spray. On the palate, the wine is concentrated yet remarkably vibrant, balancing oxidative richness with a striking saline freshness derived from its schist-grown origins. The finish is long, savoury, and endlessly evolving, revealing new nuances with every sip. A contemplative and singular wine that rewards time and attention.
Winemakers | Jess Albero & Laurent Pujol
Region | Hautes-Corbières, Roussillon, France
Variety | Macabeo
Style | Rancio
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Schist
Altitude | 150 m
Bottles Made | 700 bottles
Vinification
Solarium 2014 is produced from organically farmed Macabeu grown on schist soils in the Hautes-Corbières. The grapes were harvested by hand and direct pressed, preserving purity and structure before embarking on an extended oxidative ageing process inspired by the historic rancio wines of the Mediterranean.
Following fermentation with indigenous yeasts, the wine was aged for ten years in three 400-litre barrels, slowly concentrating and developing complexity through controlled exposure to oxygen. No sulphur was added at any stage, allowing the wine to evolve naturally over the course of its élevage. After a decade in barrel, only 700 bottles were produced, capturing a remarkable combination of oxidative depth, saline minerality, and timeless Mediterranean character.
A bright, energetic wine that captures the sun-drenched character of the Mediterranean while retaining remarkable freshness and lift. Blending Macabeu with a touch Muscat d'Alexandrie, Voltor 2023 bursts with aromas of mandarin peel, white peach, apricot, and crushed fennel, layered with subtle notes of wildflowers and citrus zest. Four days of whole-bunch skin contact brings gentle smooth texture and aromatic intensity, while the marl soils lend a vibrant mineral tension that keeps the wine beautifully balanced. Expressive, and endlessly drinkable, Voltor is an expressive wine connoisseurs drink that keeps on giving as it opens perfectly reflecting of the Hautes-Corbières landscape.
Winemakers | Jess Albero & Laurent Pujol
Region | Hautes-Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | 90% Macabeu & 10% Muscat d'Alexandrie
Style | White (4 days on skins)
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Marl
Altitude | 150 m
Vinification
Voltor 2023 is produced from organically farmed Macabeu and Muscat d'Alexandrie grown on marl soils in the Côte Catalane. The grapes are harvested by hand, fermented as whole bunches, and gently foot-stomped before undergoing 4 days of skin maceration.
Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, allowing the aromatic intensity of Muscat and the freshness of Macabeu to shine through. The skin contact contributes texture and complexity without sacrificing vibrancy, while the marl soils provide energy and precision. The wine is aged on the fine lees for 1,5 years before being bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without sulphur additions, preserving its purity, freshness, and sense of place.
A beautifully textured expression of Macabeu that reveals the variety's more savoury and contemplative side. Golem 2023 combines the bright Mediterranean character of the grape with the depth and minerality of black schist soils. The nose is layered with preserved citrus, yellow plum, dried apricot, chamomile, and wild mountain herbs, alongside subtle notes of oolong tea and warm stone. Ten days of whole-bunch skin contact bring grip and structure, framing the fruit with fine tannins and a gentle phenolic texture. The palate is energetic yet grounded, balancing ripe orchard fruit with saline minerality and a long, savoury finish. An orange wine of precision and depth, shaped as much by terroir as by technique.
Winemakers | Jess Albero & Laurent Pujol
Region | Hautes-Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | Macabeu
Style | Orange
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Marl and Black schist
Altitude | 150m
Vinification
Golem 2023 is produced from organically farmed Macabeu grown on marl and black schist slopes in the Côte Catalane. Harvested by hand, the grapes are fermented as whole bunches and gently foot-stomped before undergoing ten days of skin maceration.
Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention, allowing the vineyard's mineral character and the variety's natural texture to emerge clearly. The whole-bunch maceration contributes freshness, complexity, and fine tannic structure, while careful extraction preserves balance and drinkability. The wine is aged for 1,5 years on the fine lees before being bottled unfined, unfiltered without the additions of sulphur, resulting in a layered and distinctive expression of Mediterranean Macabeu.
A captivating orange wine that showcases the aromatic intensity of Muscat through a lens of texture, freshness, and restraint. Blending Muscat Petit Grains and Muscat d'Alexandrie, Duel 2023 opens with layers of orange blossom, bergamot, ripe apricot, and candied citrus peel, underpinned by wild herbs and subtle spice. Ten days of whole-bunch maceration lend structure and gentle tannins without overwhelming the wine's vibrant fruit and floral character. The palate is energetic and finely textured, balancing aromatic richness with a refreshing saline lift and a long, savoury finish. Expressive yet beautifully poised, Duel captures both the sunshine and mineral tension of the Mediterranean landscape.
Winemakers | Jess Albero & Laurent Pujol
Region | Hautes-Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | 50% Muscat Petit Grains, 50% Muscat d'Alexandrie
Style | Orange
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Limestone and Clay
Altitude | 150m
Vinification
Duel 2023 is produced from organically farmed Muscat Petit Grains and Muscat d'Alexandrie grown on the rugged hillsides of the Côte Catalane. The Muscat Petit Grains are directly pressed while the Muscat d'Alexandrie fermented as whole bunches, with the fruit gently foot-stomped before undergoing 15 days of skin maceration.
Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts, allowing the aromatic complexity of the Muscat varieties to integrate naturally with the texture derived from skin contact. The whole-bunch approach contributes freshness and structure, while careful extraction preserves elegance and drinkability. The wine is aged for 1,5 years before being bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without sulphur additions, resulting in an orange wine that is both expressive and remarkably balanced.
A wine that perfectly captures the exploratory spirit of Recerca. Version 2023 begins with a backbone of Mourvèdre before being blended with small proportions of every other wine produced at the domaine, including both white and skin-contact cuvées. The result is a remarkably vibrant and unconventional red that defies easy categorisation. Aromas of wild strawberry, redcurrant, blood orange, rosehip, and Mediterranean herbs leap from the glass, while subtle floral and citrus notes add further complexity. Light-bodied and energetic, the palate combines crunchy red fruit, refreshing acidity, and fine tannins with a distinctive mineral edge. Juicy, playful, and endlessly drinkable, Version is a true vin de soif with layers of intrigue beneath its effortless charm.
Winemakers | Jess Albero & Laurent Pujol
Region | Côte Catalane, Roussillon, France
Varieties | 50% Mourvèdre, 50% blend of the domaine's other wines
Style | Red
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Clay-limestone, marl, and schist
Altitude | 150 m
Vinification
Version 2023 is built around Mourvèdre, which is blended with a selection of the estate's other cuvées, including white and skin-contact wines, creating a uniquely expressive and ever-evolving assemblage. The grapes are harvested by hand, fermented as whole bunches, and gently foot-stomped before undergoing five to six days of maceration.
Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts and no intervention, preserving the freshness and character of each component. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for approximately eighteen months in stainless steel and fibreglass tanks, allowing the fruit and mineral character to remain at the forefront. No sulphur is added at any stage, resulting in a pure, energetic, and highly drinkable expression of the Recerca philosophy.
Demà...—Catalan for “tomorrow”—is a wine that rewards patience. While freshness remains a hallmark of Recerca's style, this is a deeper, more structured expression of Grenache Noir, shaped by the marl and schist soils of the Hautes-Corbières. Initially restrained, the wine gradually reveals layers of black cherry, wild blackberry, plum skin, and dried fig, intertwined with notes of forest floor, black tea, cracked pepper, and warm stone. The palate is concentrated yet finely balanced, combining dark fruit depth with savoury complexity and a vibrant mineral backbone. Given time in the glass, it unfolds beautifully, gaining aromatic nuance and texture. A thoughtful and age-worthy Grenache that showcases the more serious side of the Mediterranean south.
Winemakers | Jess Albero & Laurent Pujol
Region | Hautes-Corbières, Roussillon, France
Variety | Grenache Noir
Style | Red
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Marl and schist
Altitude | 150 m
Vinification
Demà... 2023 is produced from organically farmed Grenache Noir grown on marl and schist soils in the Hautes-Corbières. The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented as whole bunches, with gentle foot-stomping helping to initiate extraction while preserving aromatic complexity and freshness.
The wine undergoes seven days of maceration before fermenting with indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention. Following fermentation, it is aged for approximately eighteen months in stainless steel and fibreglass tanks, allowing the vineyard character and fruit purity to remain at the forefront. No sulphur is added at any stage. The result is a structured and terroir-driven Grenache, balancing dark fruit concentration with freshness, mineral tension, and remarkable depth.