The 13 grape varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The appellation authorizes 13 grape varieties, making it one of the most complex in France.

Authorized varieties:

Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Terret Noir, Picpoul Noir, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picardan.

This diversity allows:

• great blending freedom
• multiple wine styles
• high aromatic complexity
• excellent ageing potential

Grenache remains the dominant grape for red wines, bringing richness, structure and fruit expression, while the white varieties contribute freshness and balance.

Our Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines

We produce three expressions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape:

• two red wines with complementary profiles
• one white wine, rare and focused on freshness and tension

Each cuvée comes from a precise parcel selection, highlighting different facets of the appellation.

Wine styles

Red Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Our reds are defined by:

• elegant and balanced structure
• depth and intensity
• precise aromatic expression
• significant ageing potential

White Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Our white expresses:

• freshness and tension
• aromatic finesse
• balance between volume and vibrancy
• long and mineral finish

Aromatic profile

Reds

Black fruits, cherry (griotte), sweet spices, garrigue and mineral notes.

White

White flowers, citrus, stone fruits, saline and slightly aniseed notes.

Winemaking philosophy

Vinification is adapted to each cuvée and parcel.

Depending on the wine, we work with:

• gentle extraction to preserve fruit purity
• adapted maceration times
• partial whole-bunch fermentation on selected red cuvées
• precise pressing for whites to maintain freshness

Terroirs of our Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Our wines come mainly from two major terroir families:

Limestone soils

They bring:

• structure
• tension
• depth
• ageing potential

Sandy soils

They bring:

• finesse
• aromatic purity
• elegance
• lifted Grenache expression

Internal links

👉 Discover Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroirs
https://www.domaine-tourbillon.com/en/blog/chateauneuf-du-pape-terroirs

👉 Châteauneuf-du-Pape limestone vs sand
https://www.domaine-tourbillon.com/en/blog/chateauneuf-du-pape-calcaire-vs-sable

👉 Gigondas – old vines (80 to 125 years)
https://www.domaine-tourbillon.com/en/cuvees-des-cotes-du-rhone/gigondas

👉 Our Rhône Valley wines
https://www.domaine-tourbillon.com/en/cuvees-des-cotes-du-rhone

👉 Discover Domaine Tourbillon
https://www.domaine-tourbillon.com/en/domaine

Conclusion

Our Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wines and our Châteauneuf-du-Pape white wine express the remarkable diversity of this foundational Rhône Valley appellation.

Each cuvée reflects a precise parcel selection, where terroir, grape varieties and winemaking choices come together to shape distinct expressions of the same origin. The reds explore depth, structure and ageing potential, while the white reveals a fresher, more vertical and mineral dimension.

This diversity reflects our philosophy: to let terroir speak with precision, without standardisation, and with full respect for each soil and each vintage.