The Estate
The Domaine Mas de Rey, located in the Camargue, is a place rich in history, dating back to the 12th century when the Knights Templar established a temple there. In the 17th century, a chapel was built on the temple’s foundations, serving as a stopover on the pilgrimage route to Compostela. In 1843, the estate turned to viticulture after previously cultivating cereals and raising silkworms. Since 2012, the Cornille family has undertaken the renovation of the mas using traditional Provençal methods, bringing new life to this historic heritage.
The vineyard of Domaine Mas de Rey spans 110 hectares across two main terroirs. Around the estate, sandy-loam soils are home to the world’s oldest Marselan vines. On the Crau plateau, rocky clay-limestone soils nurture grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Syrah. As a pioneer committed to environmental sustainability, the estate cultivates more than fifteen grape varieties, including rare and local ones like Chasan, Caladoc, and Marselan. Since 2020, the vineyard has been undergoing organic conversion to preserve biodiversity and soil health.
Winemaking at Domaine Mas de Rey is carried out with precision to preserve the integrity of the aromas. Grapes destined for rosé and white wines are cooled and quickly pressed after harvest, then fermented at low temperatures in inert tanks. Red wines are fermented in concrete vats, with extended maceration and regular pumping over and rack-and-return techniques to optimize extraction. Some premium cuvées undergo 12 months of aging in French oak barrels, adding complexity and aging potential to the wines.
The Wine
Tasting
This 2021 Marselan from Mas de Rey, made from the oldest Marselan vines in the world, displays a deep red color with garnet highlights. The nose reveals intense aromas of ripe black fruits, intertwined with spicy and mineral notes.
On the palate, this powerful red wine offers a generous, rustic texture, supported by rounded tannins and a well-balanced structure.
