At the northern limit of the Roussillon lies the tiny AOC of Maury. It is defined by its rugged, desert-like terrain and black schist soils. Maury possesses a spectacular, eerie beauty and harsh environment that make it unsuited to agriculture – other than the old vines of Grenache and Carignan that grow here. Currently the appellation is exclusively reserved for fortified sweet wines, but since the demand for those has been in decline, David Shiverick had an opportunity to buy vines to produce dry wines under the Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes regional distinction. Thus was Fin de Folie born. 

 

David partnered with Richard Case, the winemaker responsible for Pertuisane, among others, who has specialized in making wine in this difficult terrain for years. Of the land purchased, Grenache is the predominant grape, however, the property also has small parcels of Carignan, Grenahe Gris, and Carignan Blanc. All the vines are at least 100 years old and yields are miniscule at about ¼ ton per acre.

 

All fruit comes from the Trompetaire vineyard. The age of the vines and ruggedness of the land make mechanized viticulture impossible. All of the vineyards are farmed organically and the gobelet vines are harvested by hand. Work in the cellar is also very minimalist with aging in demi-muid and no fining or filtration.

 

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