Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, Cinsault, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, ClairetteFounded 1549Demeter CertifiedECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape
The Perrin family estate at Courthezon, one of the oldest and most biologically farmed CdP properties, using all 13 permitted varieties and producing the benchmark Roussanne Vieilles Vignes blanc.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the estate; wine shop on site
Signature wines: Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Chateau de Beaucastel Roussanne Vieilles Vignes, Hommage a Jacques Perrin
Tip: The Hommage a Jacques Perrin is the prestige red; the Roussanne Vieilles Vignes white is the estate's flagship white wine.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Clairette, BourboulencFounded 1898ECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape
The Brunier family estate on the La Crau plateau, one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape's most consistent properties, farming the stony galets roulees terrain.
Tasting: Tasting room open Monday to Friday; appointment for groups
Signature wines: Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Rouge, Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Blanc
Tip: The La Crau plateau stones absorb heat and radiate it at night, defining the opulent fruit of Vieux Telegraphe.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Cinsault, VaccareseFounded 1987Chateauneuf-du-Pape
The Feraud family domaine producing Chateauneuf-du-Pape of extraordinary concentration and longevity, particularly the special-edition Da Capo cuvee.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the estate
Signature wines: Domaine du Pegau Cuvee da Capo, Domaine du Pegau Cuvee Reservee
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, VaccareseFounded 1882Chateauneuf-du-Pape
One of CdP's most traditional domaines, the Michel family producing classically-structured Grenache-dominant reds of great consistency.
Tasting: By appointment at the estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Signature wines: Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Tavel AOC, Lirac AOC, Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Clairette, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Picpoul, Grenache Blanc, BourboulencFounded 1986ECOCERTTavel
Tavel domaine producing the reference rose of the appellation, the Dame Rousse, alongside Lirac red and white and a Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Tasting: Tasting room open at the domaine in Tavel; appointment preferred
Signature wines: Domaine de la Mordoree La Dame Rousse Tavel, Domaine de la Mordoree La Reine des Bois Lirac Rouge
Tip: La Dame Rousse is the reference Tavel rose; structured enough to age 3-5 years.
Cairanne AOC, Gigondas AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, CinsaultFounded 1947Cairanne
Cairanne and Gigondas producer with a large portfolio, a reference estate for the newly elevated Cairanne AOC.
Tasting: Open tasting room at the domaine in Cairanne
Signature wines: Domaine Brusset Cairanne
Tavel AOC, Lirac AOCGrenache, Clairette, Cinsault, Picpoul, Mourvedre, BourboulencFounded 1920Tavel
Tavel reference estate producing one of the most consistent and elegant Tavel roses, farming the galets plateau.
Tasting: Tasting room open at the chateau in Tavel; Monday to Saturday
Signature wines: Chateau d'Aqueria Tavel, Chateau d'Aqueria Lirac Rouge
Vacqueyras AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, CinsaultFounded 1993Biodynamic PracticingECOCERTVacqueyras
Le Sang des Cailloux is a Vacqueyras domaine farming 22 hectares since 1990 under Serge Ferigoule, producing mineral-driven Grenache reds from clay-limestone parcels below the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Tasting: By appointment at the domaine
Signature wines: Le Sang des Cailloux Vacqueyras Rouge
Tip: The Vacqueyras frequently outperforms wines twice its price; production is small and it sells quickly.
Gigondas AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, CinsaultFounded 1960Gigondas
Small traditional Gigondas domaine producing a single estate wine from old vines on the clay-limestone slopes at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Tasting: Tasting at the domaine by appointment
Signature wines: Domaine du Cayron Gigondas
Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, RoussanneAppointment onlyCourthezon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
The Perrin family estate in Courthezon, one of only two Chateauneuf-du-Pape estates to use all 13 permitted grape varieties. Guided tours of historic cellars with structured tastings of the estate range.
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, ClairetteAppointment onlyLa Crau plateau, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
The Brunier family's landmark estate on La Crau plateau, one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape's finest terroirs. Cellar visits showcase the La Crau single-vineyard lineup alongside estate Gigondas and Telegramme cuvees.
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, RoussanneWalk-ins welcomeChateauneuf-du-Pape
One of the oldest and largest estates in Chateauneuf-du-Pape with a welcoming daily tasting room. The Fabre-Diffre family has owned the property since 1923, and the tasting covers both Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Lirac.
Cotes du Rhone AOC and Cotes du Rhone Villages AOCGrenache, Syrah, Cinsault, ClairetteFounded 1978Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDCotes du Rhone Villages / Drome provencale
Maxime Laurent continues her parents' legacy at Gramenon: biodynamically-farmed old-vine Grenache in the Drome that has influenced a generation of Rhone natural-wine producers.
Tip: The domaine hosts periodic open-cellar days. Follow their social media for dates; direct email to the estate works for private visits. Ceps Centenaires is allocated and often sells out from the cellar door within hours of release.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, CinsaultFounded 1965Demeter CertifiedECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape
Sophie and Catherine Armenier run one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape's most admired biodynamic estates; their Vieilles Vignes Grenache is a benchmark for the appellation's potential depth and longevity.
Tip: The Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf blanc (Grenache Blanc and Clairette) is one of the most underrated whites in the appellation. Visit by appointment from Avignon.
Luberon AOCGrenache, Syrah, Carignan, CinsaultEUR 6-10 retailstill-red
La Vieille Ferme is the Perrin family's Luberon-region brand, producing Grenache-dominant reds and whites at under EUR10. The rouge offers Rhone Valley Grenache-Syrah-Carignan-Cinsault character in an entry-level format.
Tip: La Vieille Ferme is the house wine of thousands of French bistros for good reason. The blanc (Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc) is also worth finding.
Tavel AOCGrenache, Cinsault, ClairetteEUR 14-20 retailstill-rose
Tavel is France's only AOC (decreed 1936) exclusively dedicated to dry rose. Domaine de la Mordoree farms 55 hectares across Tavel and Lirac.
Tip: La Dame Rousse is an ideal all-day food wine in the south of France: substantial enough for lamb cutlets, light enough for fish and aioli. Drink at cellar temperature, not ice-cold.
