Cellier des Princes

History

Cellier des Princes — A Century of History Growing Alongside Châteauneuf-du-Pape In 1925, in the small Rhône Valley village of Courthézon, a group of winegrowers came together with a shared determination: to protect and preserve the value of their land. From this vision, the story of Cellier des Princes began. More than simply a winery, Cellier des Princes has grown into a cooperative of over 120 growers united in their commitment to safeguarding the terroir and creating lasting value together. The cooperative also participated in the establishment of the AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, playing a central role in elevating the reputation of the region and shaping the wine industry of the southern Rhône Valley. The name “Cellier des Princes” originates from the historical Princes of Orange. Among them, Willem I — known as “The Taciturn” — became famous for proving his convictions through actions rather than words. His portrait appears on the estate’s gold-embossed labels, symbolizing the philosophy and steadfast spirit shared by the cooperative’s growers. During the 1960s, the second generation of growers foresaw the rise of leisure culture and wine tourism, leading to the creation of a tasting room near the RN7 national road. At the same time, the cooperative supplied grapes to renowned négociants in both the Rhône Valley and Burgundy, consistently contributing to the production of prestigious wines over several decades. In the early 2000s, as Châteauneuf-du-Pape prices reached historic lows, Cellier des Princes faced a major turning point. Following a new leadership transition approved at the 2005 general assembly, the cooperative began bottling and marketing wines under its own label, reclaiming control over its identity and production. Within just ten years, bottled wine sales increased more than sixfold, and today 96% of total production is sold under the Cellier des Princes name. In 2017, world-renowned Grenache specialist Philippe Cambie joined the cooperative, leading the development of dedicated cuvées and raising quality standards even further. Following his passing in 2021, Cellier des Princes continues to honor his legacy and philosophy through the Heredita cuvée.

Philosophy & Vision

Terroir-Driven Wines, Perfected Through Cooperation The vineyards of Cellier des Princes are spread across Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the surrounding communes of Courthézon, Sorgues, Bédarrides, and Orange. Benefiting from the Mediterranean climate of the southern Rhône Valley and significant day-to-night temperature variations, the vines achieve balanced and optimal ripening. The region’s famous galets roulés — large rounded stones — absorb heat during the day and gradually release it at night, helping the grapes reach full maturity, while deep, well-draining soils encourage the vines to root deeply into the terroir. Grenache forms the heart of the blends, contributing generous fruit character and structure. Mourvèdre, grown on clay-limestone soils, adds power and balance, while Syrah brings spicy aromatics and dark berry nuances. The harmony between these grape varieties and the diversity of terroirs gives Cellier des Princes wines their depth and complexity. All grapes are harvested by hand and undergo strict selection to ensure only the highest quality fruit is used. The winemaking philosophy combines traditional methods with modern technology, always aiming to preserve the pure expression of the terroir. In 2021, the cooperative established a dedicated micro-winery where small-scale premium cuvées are crafted with exceptional precision and care. The aging process is carefully adapted to each wine’s style. Concrete tank aging emphasizes freshness, fruit purity, and terroir expression, while oak aging enhances structure and complexity. From vineyard management to bottling, every stage is monitored through a complete traceability system, ensuring consistency, reliability, and uncompromising quality.

Certifications & Recognition

Built upon the expertise and dedication of its cooperative growers, Cellier des Princes has become one of the benchmark wine producers of the southern Rhône Valley. Today, the wines are exported to 43 countries worldwide, while annual bottled wine sales have grown dramatically from approximately 300,000 bottles in 2005 to over 2 million bottles today. In 2024, the estate was recognized by Weinwirtschaft as the finest winery in the Rhône Valley and ranked as the second-best cooperative winery in France, officially confirming its international reputation and competitiveness in quality. Throughout its century-long history, Cellier des Princes has combined the values of tradition, innovation, and cooperation. Looking ahead, the cooperative remains committed to sustainable vineyard management, continued investment in technology, and the development of small-scale premium cuvées, while continuing to share wines that faithfully express the essence of the southern Rhône Valley with wine lovers around the world.