‘Solas’ is the Irish for ‘light’, and in French means ‘joy’, ‘pleasure’ and ‘enjoyment’. Laurent Miquel’s Solas wines reflect the purity, balance and light-handed approach that characterises Laurent’s approach to winemaking. Laurent Miquel is an eighth generation winemaker and was brought up on the family domaine at Château Cazal Viel in the heart of St Chinian. Following a career as an engineer, Laurent returned home in 1996 to work with his father, Henri (known locally as Monsieur Syrah), and in 2001 Laurent’s Irish wife Neasa joined the business. The ninth generation was secured with the arrival of their children, Sean and Alaina. Laurent Miquel owns over 200 hectares of vines in the Languedoc: 150 hectares at Château Cazal Viel, and an additional 50 hectares at Château Auzines, in Corbières, where Laurent and Neasa put down their own roots in 2009. The total Château Auzines estate is 270 ha - the rest of the land is left wild to the garrigue and wild boar, in line with the sustainability philosophy at the heart of this family business. They also created what they call a “lucky lake” at the domaine, to harvest rainwater which is used to ensure balanced elegant fruit. At Laurent Miquel, the focus is completely on quality, which Laurent believes starts and ends in the vineyard. Their estates are certified sustainable with the comprehensive HVE Level 3 certification. The climate in the Languedoc is Mediterranean, although there are heavy rainstorms in winter. Unusually, Laurent has planted his vines in a north to south orientation, which protects the grapes from intense summer heat, creating natural balance. They harvest the grapes at night to preserve freshness.