The terroir of Châteauneuf du Pape spreads across more than 3000 hectares (approx. 7000 acres). It has been forever marked by the violence of the Rhône river when ages ago it came through the valley in a torrent , carrying rolled limestone rocks from the Alps and dropping  them along its path.

Those stones or “galets” are a key to the high maturity of the Châteauneuf du Pape grapes: they absorb the sun’s heat during the day and reflect it back onto the grapes at night.
The microclimate of Provence also plays an important role: minimal rainfall, and in particular, the fierce Mistral wind from the North East which dries  and concentrates the grapes.

Strict regulations in the  production and  winemaking process  are imposed for the appellation “Chateauneuf du pape”.

The 13 (thirteen) grapes varieties are : Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Cournoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Picardan, Vaccarese.

The Yield : maximum yield per hectare: 35 hectolitres authorized (the best wineries will produce only 20 to 25).

The pruning style : for the Syrah, Guyot pruning; for other grape varieties Gobelet or Evantail (a flattened Gobelet, shaped like a fan) which leaves two buds on each spur with a maximum of 15 buds on each vine simulating the plant to produce grapes of quality (not quantity.