Domaine Les Roques de Cana: Martial’s Passion for Cahors Wine

A Journey from History to Winemaking

Passionate about History and deeply involved in student life, it’s easy to imagine Martial as a professor. However, it’s the entrepreneurial spirit that seems to drive this man. Creator of the student orientation website Mastersbooking.fr, Martial recently reconnected with his oldest passion: wine.

"I’ve always dreamed of creating a vineyard in the Cahors region, to which I am very attached. My goal was to acquire a terroir with varied vineyard parcels intended for cooperative winemaking." In 2003, he began acquiring some terroirs, his heart leading him to the Cahors vineyard in the Roques terroir. Today, Domaine Les Roques de Cana spans 39 hectares of vines.

Fruity Wines with Marked Freshness

Martial's passion for wine and his attachment to the history of Cahors represent the essence of Domaine Les Roques de Cana. The winemaker is deeply inspired by the history of his region. The entire range of Domaine Les Roques de Cana wines is themed around a religious epic inspired by the Bible.

This "spirit" is reflected in the names of the three cuvées in the estate’s range: "Vin des Noces," "Sanguis Christi," and "Le Graal." "The wine of Cahors is closely linked to History and Christian faith. For eight centuries, it has been the Mass wine of the Orthodox Church, and the Malbec variety is considered to have sacred origins," Martial explains.

Domaine Les Roques de Cana: Three Wines and Numerous Awards

Martial also emphasizes showcasing the Roques terroir. "Our terroir is marked by iron, which gives the wines a metallic and fresh character, avoiding overly opulent and spicy crus." These valuable attributes, according to Martial, define the "strength and originality" of the Roques terroir. For example, Domaine Les Roques de Cana has stood out with its "Vin des Noces," a blend of 70% Malbec and 20% Merlot. "It’s a bold wine aged in a concrete tank. It’s not oaked, which is rare for a Cahors wine," Martial highlights.

With only three wines, Domaine Les Roques de Cana has received numerous accolades from prestigious wine competitions. Notably, the "Sanguis Christi 2008" cuvée was named "Best Malbec in the World" by Vinexpo in 2009. "It was the first vintage of this cuvée, so it was a great surprise," Martial recalls.

Expanding to International Markets

Looking ahead, Martial plans to sustain Domaine Les Roques de Cana’s activity both in France and internationally, particularly in China, the USA, and Canada. Another project close to his heart is producing white wine. In line with his goal to honor the history of the Cahors vineyard, Martial aims to "unearth" Grenache Blanc and Marsanne, iconic white grape varieties of the Roques terroir. While the winemaker remains somewhat secretive about this project, he reveals that he hopes to implement it within the next 2 or 3 years.