Wine in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone Valley

Chateau de Beaucastel ★ 5.0

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: beaucastel-chateauneuf-rouge, beaucastel-roussanne-vieilles-vignes, beaucastel-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.

Chateau Rayas ★ 5.0

The most celebrated estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, producing pure old-vine Grenache from shaded, sandy soils with extraordinary longevity.

Tasting: No public visits. Wines available by allocation through importers.

Signature wines: rayas-chateauneuf-rouge, rayas-chateauneuf-blanc

Tip: Emmanuel Reynaud also produces Chateau des Tours Vacqueyras and the Pignan second label; Rayas is extremely rare.

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe ★ 4.9

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: vieux-telegraphe-la-crau, 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.

Clos des Papes ★ 4.9

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-rouge, clos-des-papes-blanc

Tip: The red uses Mourvedre more generously than most CdP estates, lending dark-earth, game-meat character.

Domaine du Pegau ★ 4.8

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: pegau-cuvee-da-capo, pegau-cuvee-reservee

Domaine de la Janasse ★ 4.7

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: janasse-chateauneuf-chaupin, janasse-chateauneuf-vieilles-vignes

Tip: Cuvee Chaupin from a single old-vine Grenache parcel is a must-try.

Domaine Charvin ★ 4.7

Laurent Charvin's estate on the northern edge of Chateauneuf-du-Pape produces a single estate red of unusual elegance and purity, prized for finesse over power.

Tasting: By appointment at the domaine near Orange

Signature wines: charvin-chateauneuf

Clos Saint-Jean ★ 4.6

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

Domaine de Marcoux ★ 4.8

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: marcoux-chateauneuf-vieilles-vignes, marcoux-chateauneuf-classique

Tip: The Vieilles Vignes cuvee from centenarian Grenache is among the most complex and age-worthy in CdP.

Le Vieux Donjon ★ 4.6

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: vieux-donjon-chateauneuf

Tardieu-Laurent ★ 4.5

Negociant house sourcing old-vine Rhone fruit across both north and south for barrel-aged cuvees of concentration and depth.

Tasting: By appointment; offices in Lourmarin

Signature wines: tardieu-laurent-chateauneuf-vv, tardieu-laurent-gigondas

Chateau La Nerthe ★ 4.7

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: nerthe-chateauneuf-rouge, nerthe-cuvee-des-cadettes

Tip: The Cuvee des Cadettes white from very old Roussanne and Clairette vines is a rare and age-worthy white CdP.

Maison Brotte Espace Viniculture ★ 4.3

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.

Chateau Mont-Redon Tasting Room ★ 4.3

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.

L'Annexe Wine Bar ★ 4.2

Low-key village wine bar on the edge of Chateauneuf-du-Pape within walking distance of several major domaines. A favourite among winemakers' families after harvest; rotating slate of local estate pours.

The list: Village wine bar with 35 Chateauneuf-du-Pape producers represented by the glass; informal tasting-room atmosphere; local cheese and olive bar

Pours: Chateauneuf-du-Pape rouge cuvee prestige, CdP blanc Grenache Blanc, Tavel rosé

La Mere Germaine ★ 4.6

Iconic Chateauneuf-du-Pape village restaurant operating since 1922. Deep appellation cellar anchored by 30 years of back-vintages from the village's leading estates; roast Camargue lamb a signature pairing.

Awards: Bib Gourmand Michelin 2025

Les Celliers des Princes ★ 4.1

The Chateauneuf-du-Pape cooperative wine shop in the village, offering estate wines at direct-from-producer pricing. Largest volume wine shop within the appellation; tastings of all cooperative bottlings available on request.

Fete de la Veraison, Chateauneuf-du-Pape ★ 4.8

Chateauneuf-du-Pape's medieval festival celebrates the veraison (grape colour change) each August. The village dresses in medieval costume, processions wind through the ruined papal chateau, and the appellation's producers pour their current releases. Medieval banquets, grape-treading contests, and archery displays complete the programme. One of the most atmospheric wine festivals in France.

Tip: Accommodation in the village is extremely limited. Base in Avignon (20 minutes by car) and book shuttle services. Medieval banquet tickets often sell out months in advance.

Musee du Vin Pere Anselme - Brotte ★ 4.3

Maison Brotte's wine museum adjacent to their tasting room in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, housing over 10,000 wine artefacts collected over three generations. Exhibits include antique corkscrews, oak cask tools, viticulture implements and historical labels from the appellation's founding era.