The work of Laurence Manya Krief (aka YoYo) is flat-out delicious. Since the early aughts, she has reframed joyful, sun-soaked Banyuls through iridescent co-ferments—an irresistibly fresh, aromatic lens for old-vine Grenache and Carignan. The top wines (from almost centenarian vines) take that joy and inject it with the area's famous black schist.

It calls to mind Anjou, where a generation of growers turned the appellation's reputation for sweetness into some of the most powerful, dry (and cult-worthy) renditions of Chenin Blanc, rooted in black and blue schist. Only here—tucked in the southeasternmost corner of France's border with Spain—the story is injected with a counterculture that feels spiritually more connected to Catalunya.

The newly-arrived range wholly represents this work: from YoYo's crushable co-ferments to a more serious set that explains why Banyuls is special in its own unique way; and, with a swing of price points that reflect each wine's purpose. 

After a stint in Paris' textiles industry, Laurence (originally from nearby Perpignan) moved to Banyuls-sur-Mer in '05, purchasing a set of abandoned vineyards dotting the Mediterranean coast. Mostly Grenache and Carignan rooted in black schist, she rehabilitated the vines through organic farming; and eventually expanded to additional vineyards a touch further inland in the granite-laden foothills of the Albères mountains.

Old vines in Banyuls' black schist. Photos via @domaineyoyo

As in Anjou, the schist here channels powerful concentration into the fruit; an especially bold depth of flavor that YoYo balances (almost impossibly) with quenching, Mediterranean-swept freshness.

This release includes her top old-vine bottling and a new, deeply Mediterranean white Alta: Carignan Blanc, Carignan Gris, and Grenache Blanc from cuttings acquired in Catalunya, it reflects a planting strategy (aimed at combatting climate change) that has become common practice among savvy producers in southern France.

ALBÈRES

2025 Domaine YoYo 'Alta' Blanc VDF, Languedoc-Roussillon, $35
A new cuvée, blend of Carignan Blanc, Carignan Gris and Grenache Blanc. A pomaceous and fully Mediterranean wine.

2025 Domaine YoYo 'La Negra', Languedoc-Roussillon, $40
90% Carignan, 10% Grenache Blanc, Gris and Noir from 80 year old granite-rooted vines in Albères. Semi-carbonic, aged 3 months in barrel.

BANYULS

2024 Domaine YoYo 'Restaké' VDF, Languedoc-Roussillon, $60
Grenache Gris and Blanc blended with Carignan Gris and Blanc, from 80 year old vines in a higher altitude vineyard (300m) rooted in black schist. The Carignan is macerated 4 days, the Grenache is directly pressed; blended one week after pressing.

2025 Domaine YoYo 'Akoibon' VDF, Languedoc-Roussillon, $60
70% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre rooted in black schist; carbonic maceration for a full week with fermentation followed by 6 months aging in barrel.

2025 Domaine YoYo 'KM31' VDF, Languedoc-Roussillon, $63
Grenache and Carignang Blanc, Gris and Noir from 80 year old vines rooted in black schist. Destemmed and fermented with 12 days of semi-carbonic maceration, no sulfur added.

SHOP YOYO