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, Mourvedre, Syrah, Vaccarese, Counoise, Roussanne, ClairetteFounded 1896ORGANIC CERTIFIEDChateauneuf-du-Pape
Paul-Vincent Avril's family estate, one of Chateauneuf-du-Pape's most consistent producers, making densely structured reds from a large parcel mosaic.
Tasting: By appointment at the estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Signature wines: Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc
Tip: The red uses Mourvedre more generously than most CdP estates, lending dark-earth, game-meat character.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Cotes du Rhone AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Clairette, Roussanne, Grenache BlancFounded 1973Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Courthezon family estate producing approachable and reliably excellent Chateauneuf-du-Pape including the old-vine Chaupin Grenache cuvee.
Tasting: Tasting room open Monday to Saturday at the domaine
Signature wines: Domaine de la Janasse Chaupin, Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes
Tip: Cuvee Chaupin from a single old-vine Grenache parcel is a worth ordering.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Clairette, RoussanneFounded 1955Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate run by brothers Pascal and Vincent Maurel, producing concentrated cuvees including the rare Deus ex Machina prestige bottling.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the estate
Signature wines: Clos Saint-Jean Deus-Ex Machina, Clos Saint-Jean La Combe des Fous
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise, Vaccarese, Grenache Blanc, ClairetteFounded 1936Demeter CertifiedECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape
Demeter-certified biodynamic Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate producing profound old-vine Grenache of great depth and terroir expression.
Tasting: By appointment at the domaine
Signature wines: Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Tip: The Vieilles Vignes cuvee from centenarian Grenache is among the most complex and age-worthy in CdP.
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.
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
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOCGrenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache BlancFounded 1560ECOCERTChateauneuf-du-Pape
One of the oldest estates in CdP with winemaking cited to the 16th century, producing refined GSM-led reds and whites from organic farming.
Tasting: Open tasting room and shop at the chateau; cellar tours by appointment
Signature wines: Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, Chateau La Nerthe Cuvee des Cadettes Rouge
Tip: The Cuvee des Cadettes white from very old Roussanne and Clairette vines is a rare and age-worthy white CdP.
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, Roussanne, ClairetteWalk-ins welcomeChateauneuf-du-Pape
Maison Brotte's purpose-built visitor centre next to the Pere Anselme Wine Museum. Wide range of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Cotes du Rhone open for daily tasting.
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, ClairetteWalk-ins welcomeGigondas village, Southern Rhône
The cooperative cellar shop and tasting bar in Gigondas village, offering the region's broadest access to appellation wines from over 40 local producers. The central port of call for any Gigondas visit.
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, ClairetteAppointment onlyGigondas, Southern Rhône
Historic Gigondas estate jointly owned by Brunier family of Vieux Telegraphe and Kermit Lynch. Old-vine Grenache on Triassic limestone soils produces one of Gigondas's finest expressions. Intimate appointment visits.
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, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, RoussanneFounded 1967ORGANIC CERTIFIEDChateauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Aimé and Christophe Sabon's organically-farmed Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate is beloved by local sommeliers for quality that outpunches its price, particularly the old-vine Grenache cuvees.
Tip: The Cuvee Chaupin white blends old-vine Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Roussanne. Visit by appointment from Avignon or Courthezon.
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.
