ChâteauneufduPape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is both a village and an appellation in the southern Rhône Valley, centered on the commune of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Vaucluse department, southeast of Avignon. The name translates to “New Castle of the Pope,” a reference to a fortress built on the hill by the papal residence during the Avignon Papacy in the 14th century. The papal presence helped establish the area’s reputation as a premier wine region.

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC encompasses red and white wines, though red wines dominate production. Red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is typically a Grenache noir–driven blend, supplemented by other permitted varieties such as Mourvèdre and Syrah, with additional regional grapes contributing depending on the producer and vintage. White Châteauneuf-du-Pape, made from a selection of white varieties, is also produced under the same appellation. The exact blends vary by vintage and producer.

Terroir is a defining feature of the wines. Vineyards are planted on a hill topped with large rounded stones known as galets roulés, which store heat and help grapes ripen in the hot southern climate. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and the influence of the mistral wind, factors that shape vine health and grape quality.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape remains a notable destination for wine tourism, attracting visitors to its historic village, cellars, and panoramic vineyard views, while preserving a long tradition of viticulture linked to the Papal legacy and Rhône wine heritage.