Olivier Pithon

Olivier is originally from Anjou in the Loire, his brother is the celebrated producer Jo Pithon. Olivier has been working in vineyards since he was 14 years old, he went on to train in Bordeaux followed by a series of internships across France.

At the end of 2000, whilst searching for a place to live and make his own wine, he was immediately captivated by Calce, in the Pyrenees-Orientales. After a meeting with Gérard Gauby (a friend of Jo’s), his mind was set and he never turned back.

This is a remarkably beautiful, secluded area of France situated at 300 metre with unobstructed views of the Mediterranean, the Corbieres and the Pyrenees. Back in 2001, he started with just four hectares of old, gobelet-trained vines, planted on marl, limestone and schist soils. Today the domaine comprises 22 hectares and fruit is bought in from local organic growers for the Mon P’tit Pithon range.

The wines are certified organic with biodynamic viticulture being practised, under the guidance of biodynamics advisor Jacques Mell. Olivier chose biodynamics with the palate in mind. He says that ‘when the point of commonality in your wine preferences is that they are all biodynamic, it is worth asking yourself why that is. Working as closely as possible to the ground and the vine stocks allows me to make even more delicate and accurate wines’. 

We are really thrilled to add this Roussillon superstar to the Emile portfolio. We met Olivier earlier this year in Burgundy as he is good friends with Julien Guillot - the Megamix 2021 includes a proportion of Muscat from Olivier!