Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Pope's summer palace grounds with 13 permitted grapes and iconic galets roulés

History

Name means "Pope's new castle" from when Avignon was papal seat (1309-1377). Baron Pierre Le Roy of Château Fortia drafted strict rules in 1923 - first AOC prototype in France. Rules set minimum 12.5% alcohol, delimited area, specified 13 grapes, prohibited additives. Official AOC status granted May 15, 1936 as France's first wine appellation.

At a glance

Climate: Mediterranean with 2,800 sun hours/year; galets roulés (round stones) retain daytime heat, release at night to ripen grapes
Signature wines: Château de Beaucastel - one of few estates using all 13 permitted varieties; benchmark for traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape complexity
What sets it apart: First French wine AOC (1936); 13-grape blend tradition; galets roulés terroir unique to this appellation; Baron Le Roy created prototype for entire AOC system

3,200 hectares
produces 110,000 hectoliters/year
AOC declared May 15, 1936 as first wine AOC in France
named for Avignon Papacy (1309-1377)