Seven centuries of perfectionism and obsession have led to the world-renowned status of Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine. The uniform rows of vineyards seamlessly intertwine with country villas and the chateaus of the Rhone Valley. This creates a complex, yet perfectly balanced, flavour of the French countryside. Such an illustrious reputation has made it certain that this wine touched the most refined palettes throughout its history. With each royal that sampled it, the reputation only grew. This only spurred the passion of Chateauneuf-de-Pape vineyards to further age excellence in oaken barrels. To stand the test of time as one of the very best regions with Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status. All of this can be discovered in a Chateauneuf-de-Pape vineyard tour.

The south of France is in no shortage of vineyards and locating the best of them can prove difficult. Especially when trying to find the vineyards with the most unique character, as well as excellent wine. The traveller need not worry about this anymore with a day tour from regional experts at OohProvence. Chateauneuf-de-Pape certainly makes a convincing case when the traveller makes their choice of region. It boasts some of the most picturesque architecture, with Renaissance-era villas pinstriped with their respective vineyards. Poplar trees line the pathways leading to these bastions of Mediterranean viticulture and usher the traveller into the cobbled courtyards, like patient butlers presiding over the residency.

A private Chateauneuf-de-Pape vineyard tour of three vineyards in a day provides insight into regional history and exclusive access to the heart of its wine. Exploring the caves and storerooms under masterful guidance will leave the traveller an expert in the region’s viticulture. A unique and all-access venture in to some of the most well-preserved lines of heritage in wine across the entire globe.

The history of Chateauneuf-de-Pape is most succinctly represented in its name. Translating to ‘New Castle of the Pope’, it served as the court of the Avignon Papacy when it briefly left Rome. This was possibly the most significant event to occur for the region as it was what spurred and funded the wine industry throughout the ages. With even a small number of winemakers in the 14^th century, the potential of what Chateauneuf wine could become was clearly evident already. A mix of Mediterranean climate and a unique soil composition creates the exquisite body of their wines which inspired the church to invest in local industry. To support the development of cultivation techniques that flourished for centuries and remain as a vanguard of the most exquisite. Whilst the name-sake castle of the region lays largely as rubble, the influence of the Avignon papacy and high society on the area’s viticulture shall ever remain prominent as the source of Chateauneuf-de-Pape’s fame.

One of the first vineyards the traveller will come across in their private tour is Chateau Fortia, which is arguably the most instrumental in taking the early establishment of Chateauneuf wine into the modern age. Exchanging hands of the noble and the eccentric throughout its 300-year history, Baron Le Roy can boast the most significant role. He managed the estate in the early 20th century and played a key hand in establishing the region as France’s first area of controlled production (AOC). The Louis-XIII style chateau was the home of modernised wine production in the region and their drive for excellence, defined by Le Roy in his motto ‘Less wine but better’, carries on to the present day.

Upholding their tradition of innovation, the two current estate managers have renewed the production process of Fortia wine, whilst continuing its pedigree that’s dedicated to quality. Chateau Fortia is instrumental in Chateauneuf wine’s prestigious status, and touring the cobbled hallways and sandstone courtyards introduces the traveller to the essence of the region. The wine tasting also included at each destination of the tour ensures the traveller will be left with a truly sensory understanding of what Chateauneuf-de-Pape wine means.

Another vineyard that’s pushing the boundaries of modern wine-making is the resident Brunel family of Chateau de Gardine. Beneath the terracotta tilling and behind the sage green shutters of the villa resides a vinification process dedicated to sustainability and environmental awareness. This is a wine for the modern age, combining age-old prestige with modern science. A tour of this vineyard will unlock the secrets to some of the best wine with an eco-friendly future. Focussing on the organic production of grapes, keeping hives of indigenous bee species and using contemporary techniques to sustain the soil quality, Chateau de Gardine allows the power of the natural world to take precedence. Walking through their two-century-old cellars, it can be hard to believe that the work they do is deeply rooted in the modern day.

Fine wines are not all that Chateauneuf-de-Pape has to offer. In the glorious stead of French gastronomy, the Choclaterie Castelain rounds off a tour of French excellence in the perfect manner. A dedication to creating chocolate that pairs perfectly with neighbouring wines and uses raw ingredients that are kind to the environment sits at the heart of Castelain values. Chateauneuf-de-Pape honours French gastronomy, not just through its excellent wine, but through its chocolate too.

A journey that has continued for over 700 years leaves the traveller in the perfect position to enjoy the finest wine that southern France has to offer. Amongst sandstone blocks placed centuries prior and atop cellars and caves used to transform the region’s name into a hallmark of quality, Chateauneuf-de-Pape vineyards are the pinnacle of excellence. From the depths of the Rhone Valley’s earth to the expertise that exists atop it, wine was destined to flourish here. Royalty and nobility have ensured that not only the region’s wine survives but rises to the highest of regard of viticulture.