Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a well known French wine area (AOC) located around the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhone wine region in southeastern France. Vineyards are planted around Chateauneuf-du-Pape and in the neighbouring villages Bedarrides, Courthezon and Sorgues between Avignon and Orange and cover approx 3,200 hectares.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape roughly translates to "The Pope's new castle" and indeed, the history of this appellation is firmly entwined with papal history. In 1308, Pope Clement V - relocated the papacy to the town of Avignon. Clement V and subsequent 'Avignon Popes' were said to be great lovers of Burgundy wines and greatly promoted them during the 70-year duration of the Avignon Papacy. At the time, wine-growing around the town of Avignon was anything but memorable.

Clement V was succeeded by John XXII who, as well as Burgundy wine, regularly enjoyed wines from the vineyards to the north and did much to improve viticultural practices. The wines of this area came to be known as "Vin du Pape", later to become Chateauneuf-du-Pape. John XXII is also responsible for building the famous castle which stands as a symbol for the appellation.

Vineyards can reach 120m in the northern part, and the characteristic terroir of Chateauneuf-du-Pape comes from a layer of stones called galets (pebbles). The stone retains heat during the day and releases it at night which can have an effect of improving the ripening of grapes. The stones can also serve as a protective layer to help retain moisture in the soil during the dry summer months.

The original Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC rules allowed 10 varietals, which in 1936 were amended to 13, and to 18 in 2009, since white, rose and black varietals of some grapes are now clearly listed separately. Red varieties; Cinsaut, Grenache Noir, Mourvedre, Muscardin, Piquepoul Noir, Syrah, Terret Noir, and Vaccarese. White and pink varieties; Bourboulenc, Clairette Blanche, Clairette Rose, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Piquepoul Blanc and Roussanne.