Les vins skalli

In the 1920s, Robert-Elie Skalli starts working in wine-making and chooses land in the Oran, Mascara and Aïn Témouchent regions of Algeria to plant Southern French variety vines such as Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Alicante, and so on. In the 1950s, his son, Francis Skalli, takes over the family business.[1]

In 1961, the Skalli family moves to France. Firstly, Francis Skalli decides to buy Terra Vecchia, uncultivated land on the Western coast of Corsica. At the same time, he creates "Les Établissements Skalli" in Languedoc, which is devoted entirely to Algerian-origin wines and will later become Les Chais du Sud.[1] In 1974, Robert Skalli, the son of Francis Skalli, takes on the family business, furthering the pursuit of its aims through its development in varietal wines and its continued entrenchment in Languedoc.[1]

In 1982, the family acquires the Dollarhide Ranch vineyard in the north-west Napa Valley in California, which is where the St. Supéry Winery comes into being. The Napa Valley's climate is remarkably similar to the Mediterranean's, with high levels of sunshine; mild, dry winters; a strong wind; and the influence of the nearby sea. But most importantly, that same year Robert Skalli decides to cross the length and breadth of Languedoc to convince wine-producers to commit themselves to making quality varietal wines by planting new grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This marks the beginning of a revolution in Languedoc.[2]

Five years later, in 1987, on the initiative of a group of professionals trained by Robert Skalli and Jacques Gravegeal, the "Vin de Pays d'Oc" domination is finally created.[3] Consequently, that year Robert Skalli launches the first Pays d’Oc -certified varietal wines[4] under the brand name Fortant de France. Nowadays, Fortant is a real touchstone in French culture, even making an appearance on cinema screens in such films as Zabou Breitman's Someone Je l’aimais and more recently, Little White Lies directed by Guillaume Canet.

To mark the new millennium, the Skalli family buys the Silène vineyard in the Grès de Montpellier area, and then in 2001, the Maison Bouachon (as well as the "Caves Saint-Pierre" cellars) in Châteauneuf-du-Pape; finally, in 2006, the family goes into partnership with Gilardi, thereby establishing the business in Provence.[5] In 2009, Skalli wines win much recognition at the International Wine Challenge in London when the company wins the title of Red Winemaker of the Year.