Chateau La Nerthe

Owner: Richard family
Director: Rémi Jean
4213, Route du Sorgues 84230 Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Tel. +33 490 837 011
Direct sale Monday - Friday 9.30-12.30 and 14-18.
Mail: contact@chateaulanerthe.fr
Web: http://www.chateaulanerthe.fr/

The beautifull Chateau was built in the 1730-ties
After the phylloxera catastrophe in 1870 the property was sold to Joseph Ducos (1833-1910). With great energy he started replanting the vines. He was the leading person in that matter who taught other wine growers in the area to graft vines onto phylloxera resistant American rootstocks. He did a lot to unite the wine growers and set standards for a better quality of the wines. As the mayor of the village he got the official name of the town changed to Chateauneuf du Pape instead of Chateauneuf Calcernier. In 1986 the chateau was aquiered by the Richard family after advice from Alain Dugas, who managed the property until 2008.
Chateau La Nerthe covers 92 ha. Most of the vineyards are situated around the chateau.
Some new plantations has been made since the 1980ties but parcels with old vines mainly used for the two prestige cuvées also exist.
Since 1998 the domain has been certified agriculture biologique.

Joseph Ducos Photo 1908 owned byLa Nerthe 1877-1910

During the second World War the chateau was occupied by German troops and the vine fields were neglected for a long time. In 1986 the chateau was aquiered by the Richard family after advice from Alain Dugas, who managed the property until 2008. 2008-2015 the winemaker and manager was Christian Voeux, a experienced winemaker who had been working at Mont Redon for 25 years.

Alain Dugas. Manager from Richard family's purchase 1985-2008. Photo from 2017
Christian Voeux. Manager 2008-2015. Owner of Domaine l'Amauve. Photo from 2015
Ralph Garcin Manager 2016 - 2019. Has no the same job at Chateau de Nalys

To be manager of Chateau La Nerthe includes also to be manager of the Richard familiy's to other estates in Rhone, Domaine de la Renjarde (Massif d'Uchaux) and Prieuré de Montézargues (Tavel) including the responsability for the winemaking at the three domains.

Rém Jean as been since 2020 director
Before he had a similar position at other domains
owned by Richard.
Photo fra Kobrand where you can read more about him

Chateau La Nerthe covers 92 ha. Most of the vineyards are situated around the chateau.
Some new plantations has been made since the 1980ties but parcels with old vines mainly used for the two prestige cuvées also exist.
Since 1998 the domain has been certified agriculture biologique.

The wines according to website January 2021

Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition
2017: 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, 7% Cinsault. Aged in foudres for 12 month.

Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvée des Cadettes
2016: 52% Grenache (80-years-old vines), 10% Mourvedre, 38% Syrah. Fermented together in wooden tanks and then aged here or in new barriques for 12 months

Chateauneuf du Pape Les Clavelles
2016: 100% Grenache. Aged in foudres (30%) or in older barrels

Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc
2019: 40% Grenache Blanc, 34% Roussanne, 20% Clairette, 6% Bourboulenc. Roussanne vinified and aged in demi-muids (1/3 new).

Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Clos de Beauvenir
2017: 66% Roussanne, 34% Grenache Blanc
Fermented and aged in barriques (1/2 new) for 9 months.

Prieuré de Montézargues Tavel Rosé
2019: 60% Grenache Noir&Blanc, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault 10% Clairette / Bourboulenc.

Cotes du Rhone Village Les Cassagnes de La Nerthe
2015: 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre. From vineyards in Serignan du Comtat. (Domaine la Renjarde)

Cotes du Rhone Blanc Les Cassagnes de La Nerthe
2019: 32% Roussanne, 24% Viognier, 24% Marsanne, 20% Grenache Blanc.
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The very old stone tanks you see to the left have walls 2 metres thick.

.Photos of buildings and from the cellar are from a visit in April 2014.