Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the emblematic appellation of the Rhône Valley. As its name suggests, its history is closely linked to those of several popes. Clement V planted vines here in 1308, becoming one of the first winegrowers; John XXII, a lover of the region’s wines, built a château here. Situated between Avignon and Orange, the vineyards cover 3200 hectares. In the village, at the foot of the Château, a former papal residence dating from the 14th century, the streets are dotted with fountains and wine-tasting cellars. One of the main characteristics of the AOC is the diversity of its 13 grape varieties. But it is above all characterized by the homogeneity of its soils: sandy terroirs to the north and rounded pebbles to the south. It was here, moreover, that Baron Leroy, owner of Château Fortia, introduced the notion of an AOC. Châteauneuf-du-Pape became one of the 1st AOCs in 1936.