TERROIRS

chateauneuf du pape millésime

AN EXCEPTIONAL TERROIR

Standing at 120 meters above sea level, backed on its western side by the Lampourdier Massif, the territory of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC proudly rises in the heart of the Comtat Venaissin plain. Located midway between two prestigious cities, Avignon and Orange, it is situated in the Vaucluse department. A short distance away, the left bank of the Rhône River reminds us that the history of this vineyard is intimately linked to that of the river.

The Stately River

Thousands of years ago, the inland seas of the secondary and tertiary eras deposited successive layers of sediment, which now form the subsoil of the vineyard. Then, under the influence of the Quaternary glaciations, the Rhône River embarked on a wild race. Destroying everything in its path, it managed to tear blocks of stone from the flank of the Alps. Polished by water, this Alpine diluvium was deposited in places where the current slowed down, notably in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The Diversity of soils

While round pebbles are the hallmark of the appellation’s terroir, it is the diversity of soils that takes precedence. To the west, there are soils of hard limestone rocks with clay subsoils, or formed of molassic sandstone, and to the east, sandy soils formed by the retreat of the Rhône, which extend between wooded areas and rocky plateaus. To craft their wine, winemakers leverage this diversity by combining different terroirs or, conversely, by selecting only one for a particular cuvée.

The iconic round pebbles

Round pebbles have the unique quality of radiating back the heat absorbed during the day to the grape clusters. They contribute to the perfect ripening of the berries. They also prevent the development of certain diseases, as water evaporates upon contact with them. The subsoil is often composed of red clay. To draw water, the vine can root itself up to three meters deep. This is why ‘old vines’ contribute to obtaining grapes of higher quality.

Terroir Châteauneuf du Pape Sol Calcaire
THE LIMESTONE SPLINTERS
The Cretaceous limestones are found to the west of the appellation. The soils and subsoils consist of limestone rocks with rare marly beds (limestone-clay mix). They provide the stage for expansive and aromatic white wines with a beautiful freshness. This poor soil brings minerality, salinity, and acidity essential to the structure of the white wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Terroir Châteauneuf du Pape Sol Sable
SANDS OR SAFRES
The sands, sandstones, and marls from the end of the Tertiary period are found to the east and north of the appellation. These soils, formed by the Rhône's retreat, extend between wooded areas and stony plateaus. They will produce wines with a delicate texture and silky tannins. Elegant and refined wines.
Terroir Châteauneuf du Pape Galet Roulet
ROLLED PEBBLES
The ancient Quaternary pebble terraces cross the appellation, to the northwest with the Mont-Redon and Cabrières terraces and to the south with the Crau terrace. These terraces produce generous, round, structured red wines, characteristic of the classic, timeless Châteauneuf-du-Pape style.
Terroir Châteauneuf du Pape Sol Grès Rouge
THE RED SANDSTONE
They bring brightness and tension to the wines of the appellation. These wines are characterized by a very ripe and tangy red fruit. The tannins are 'sticky' and contribute to a beautiful structure in the grape blends.
THE PARTICULAR CASE OF RED CLAYS
Intrinsically linked to the ancient terrace of round pebbles, red clays represent the mineral safe of the vine. Rich in iron oxide, the clays allow the vine to benefit from the mineral elements it needs and contribute to producing rich and complex wines.

TERROIRS MAPS

INSPIRED BY GEORGES TRUC’S RESEARCH

Download the terroir map inspired by the works of Georges Truc – geologist and hydrologist, professor-researcher at the Claude Bernard University of Lyon (1965-2005) – for his book published in 2022, ‘Châteauneuf-du-Pape, geological history & birth of terroirs.’

This map details, at the parcel level, the soils of the appellation according to the different geological periods that compose them: the Cretaceous for limestone formations; the Tertiary for saffre, sand, and sandstone formations; and finally, the Quaternary for terrace formations of quartzite pebbles (Würm or Villafranchian).

A VINEYARD TINGED BY SUN AND MISTRAL

hot, dry, arid, and windy

The climate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is of Mediterranean influence, situated in the driest sector of the Côtes-du-Rhône.
The Châteauneuf-du-Pape climate is characterized by intense sunlight and often, during summer, marked dryness with temperatures easily reaching 34 to 38°C (93 to 100°F). Precipitation is scarce and irregular (500 to 600 mm a year).
A crucial feature of the climate is the frequent Mistral wind. A key element appreciated by winemakers, this north wind reduces rainfall, thereby limiting vine diseases. On the eve of harvest, it enhances sugar concentration in grapes and dries them after rain, preventing fungal diseases from developing. Additionally, in spring, its breeze protects the vines from frost by creating air currents.