After having made wine from 1989 to 2001 for the Estezargues cooperative cellar (Côtes du Rhône), Jean-François Nicq set up a winery at Winery in Laroque des Albères in the Pyrénées-Orientales, which he named "Les Foulards Rouges". Portrait.
Little by little, Jean-François Nicq has built his nest. In 2001, Jean-François reached the end of his history with the Estezargues cooperative cellar after 12 years of loyal service as head winemaker. In search of a Winery, his choice fell on 9 ha located in the Pyrénées-Orientales and more precisely in Laroque des Albères.
Magnificent vineyards located on the natural border with Spain, the foothills of the Albères, less than 10km from the Mediterranean Sea. Looking for a name that would have a strong meaning to him, Jean-François chose "Les Foulards Rouges" as a tribute to the historical thriller by Frédéric Fajardie. The choice of organic and natural wine was a direct continuation of the experience of the Estezargues winery. The vines have been converted and the vinification is done naturally, without any input from the first year.
The soil is mainly a granitic arena made up of Gneiss and is worked to encourage microbial life with sheep manure and organic fertiliser. Also, 20% of the ploughing is done with a young mule named Uma acquired in 2009. JF Nicq's wines are balanced, fresh and light in this very hot region, and they certainly have something extra.
