Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne

Wine-growing in Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne: ancient expertise

The wine-growing terroir of Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, delimited to the west by the papal boundaries, has been established for 1,500 years, with sales of Gadagne wine being registered as far back as the 15th century. In 1575, a parliament determined the date on which the local people could begin harvesting. In the mid-1980s, an experimental vineyard was created with a view to optimising the quality of the Côtes-du-Rhône AOC wines. Thanks to these efforts, the Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages appellation was obtained in 1997, with Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages-Gadagne following in 2012. Produced only as reds, the wines are made from Grenache grapes, together with Syrah and Mourvèdre. All of the wines produced by the vineyard are ruby red in colour with more or less sustained nuances. Notes of heather and garrigue vegetation stand out in each wine. The notes of liquorice and pepper may be more or less intense depending on the year and spiciness is a common denominator in each wine. The terroir has seven marketers, including a cooperative cellar and six private cellars.

Cradle of the Félibrige Association and a great base for the Avignon Festival

Located 15 kilometres from Avignon, Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne is the perfect base if you are planning a visit to the Avignon Festival (accessible by train and bus). This is also the village where the Félibrige Association was founded, back in 1854, on the initiative of Frédéric Mistral and six other poets, whose aim was to defend and promote the Provençal language and culture. In 1867, a delegation of Catalan writers and politicians presented the Félibrige Association with a magnificent carved silver cup (created by artist Louis Philippe Fulconis and silversmith Jarry) in recognition of the welcome given to politician Victor Balaguer. The gift inspired Mistral to write the famous song 'The Holy Cup', which would be adopted as the anthem of Provence and Côtes-du-Rhône. The cup is displayed on the occasion of the 'Santo Estello', which is when the members of the Félibrige meet up each year.

Much better than Sunset Boulevard: the Sunset Vignerons!

On Tuesday evenings, from July to September, the Sunset Vignerons (Sunset in the Vineyards) events give curious visitors, discerning palates and wine lovers an opportunity to share their enjoyment of wine. The wine-growers of Luberon and Ventoux join forces with four operators from Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne to share their passion for the fruits of their labour and the vines. The event includes a sunset stroll in the vineyard, a visit to the cellar, wine tasting and local nibbles, for a very informative and convivial evening.The wine-growers of Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne can't wait to let you in on all the secrets of their appellation Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages-Gadagne wines. Only 20 places are available each evening and advance booking is required.

From here, the panorama opens onto the Monts de Vaucluse, the Mont Ventoux and the Luberon Massif