The producers - small is beautiful

300 domains produce Châteauneuf du Pape wines.
7 % of the wine production is produced in a wine coop cellar, the rest of the production is produced in private cellars.

- 55 % of wine-estates sell their production in bottles totally.
- 20 % of wine-estates sell their production by means of wine merchants totally.
- 25 % of domains make a mixed marketing : in bottles and in bulk (sale to wine merchants - negociants).

Source for these figures: http://www.chateauneuf.com/index_pro.html

The coop cellar:
Only one coop cellar exists in Chateauneuf du Pape, Cellier des Princess in Courthezon. The wines produced here are certainly not the most exiting wines from the appellation and the importance of this cellar will probably decrease over the coming years.
Some coop cellars in nearby communes also produce a small amount of Chateauneuf du Pape.

The negociants:
If you look at Northern Rhone and especially Bourgogne the negociants are here of great importance. That is not the case in Chateauneuf du Pape although some negociants make wines of good quality, for example Chapoutier, Colombo, Tardieu-Laurent and Texier. The mainpart of the wines from the negociants are sold in supermarkets all around the world.

The estate wines:
Exept for a few estates (for example Nalys and La Nerthe) the estates of Chateauneuf du Pape are family owned and managed by the owner himself and his/her family. Often by families whose ancesters have been wine growers in the area for many generations. It's by these estates the fame of the wines is founded. If you visit the estates you will often be warmly welcomed by a family member and invited to taste the wines - and perhaps buy some bottles. The good wines and the possibility to meet the humble but proud people behind the wines makes Chateauneuf du Pape to a Mekka for wine lovers.

Most of the estates are of moderate size. Below a list of 100 estates with the planted area of AOC Chateauneuf du Pape in hectares: