"Terroir", grape varieties and wine producing methods all have an influence on the final product. Since the end of the 19th century wine growers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape have given priority to a selective production. They have found the resources required for them to do so, thus proving their perseverance and tenacity. These qualities have been inherited by present day wine growers, making the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Appellation a world-wide example of rigour and success.

A natural Heritage

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the great vintage wines produced in the Rhône Valley. The history of the "Castelpapal" vineyard is closely linked to that of the river itself. The area covered by the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Appellation - 3200 hectares that were set out between 1924 and 1929 - corresponds to a geographical (plateau) rather than a geological unit, with a great diversity of soil. During the Quaternary Ice Age, the waters of the Rhône brought down the famed round pebbles from the Alps to the highest vineyard terraces. The inland seas of the Secondary and Tertiary eras had previously deposited the successive layers of sediment that today make up the vineyard subsoil.
The combined action of receding seas and river erosion has sculpt a relief of terraces and slopes stretching as far the present course of the Rhône . The predominantly stony ground provides Châteauneuf-du-Pape with wine-producing asset.

Favourable climatic conditions

The Castelpapal vineyards are fortunate in that they benefit from long periods of sunshine (an average of 1000 hours of sun in summer; 7 hours each day at 25°C) and the effect of the mistral wind that reduces rainfall and counters its adverse effects.

13 grape-varieties for one appellation

One of the original features of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation is an abundant vine stock.
13 different grape-varieties may be used. It is usually said that Grenache gives the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines their character. This variety is, indeed, predominant in the appellation (80%). Not all the grape varieties are used to produce a wine, some contain only a very small number of grapes from one particular variety. The grape varieties are vinified either together or separately. Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault are used essentially for red wines. White wine is produced mainly from Clairette, white Grenache and Roussane, Bourboulenc and Picpoul.

Research and development: the technical division.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers attach particular importance to the help they receive from the appellation's technical division. Research and development is in the capable hands of a full-time staff of 3 headed by an experienced oenologist with, at their disposal, a modern laboratory fitted with state of the art equipment. This technical division is responsible for performing regular wine analyses, and advising wine growers during vinification and ageing.

In addition to their main activity, that following through the wine making process, they also perform occasional large-scale surveys on such aspects as grape varieties and clones, soil analysis etc…