Côtes-du-Rhône in Southern Ardèche
A quest of excellence for a southern Rhône Valley vineyard
Côtes-du-Rhône in southern Ardèche
A quest of excellence for a southern Rhône Valley vineyard
In southern Ardèche, Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages are part of a strong historical and qualitative momentum. Established in 1937, the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation reflects early recognition, enriched in 1967 by the Villages designation, which showcases the most distinctive terroirs. This system reflects growing standards, driven by committed winemakers who adapt their practices to local specificities, notably Ardèche soils, southern grape varieties, and climate challenges. The Ardèche vineyard, in constant evolution, participates in this pursuit of excellence and recognition.
Appellation
Exceptional terroir, between pebbles & mistralAOP Côtes du Rhône:
The appellation meanders along the banks of its namesake river, from Vienne to Avignon, and spans 6 departments (Ardèche, Drôme, Gard, Loire, Rhône, and Vaucluse). The vines are planted on hillsides and ancient terraces that occupy the confluence zone between the Ardèche River and the Rhône. These soils overlooking the Rhône are composed of stony alluvium divided into two major categories: rounded pebbles (galets rhodaniens) that produce age-worthy red wines, and soft loess soils, with a beautiful ochre color, that bring a lighter character to the wines produced. 13 grape varieties are cultivated for the AOP.
AOP Côtes-du-Rhône Villages with geographical designation: AOP Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Saint-Andéol.
In the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages hierarchy, 21 have a geographical designation. They share a common DNA and climate while benefiting from the great diversity of terroirs that give each village's wines their typicity and singularity. In southern Ardèche, Saint-Andéol is one of the youngest named villages, recognized in 2017. Its territory is also one of the smallest in area and produces only red wines. It obtained recognition for its distinctive terroir (clay-limestone covered with reddish and purplish pebbles) in 2017. Four Ardèche communes are included in the appellation area: Saint-Marcel, Saint-Just, Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, and Bourg-Saint-Andéol.
Geology
An appellation with varied soils thanks to reliefs and fluvial influences
The Côtes-du-Rhône appellation derives its character from the windy climate that sweeps through it and the remarkable geological diversity of its soils. Five major soil families emerge primarily in Côtes-du-Rhône:
Soils from ancient alluvial terraces of the Rhône: Here we find vestiges of the river's oldest meanders (Villafranchian period). This is the case on the right bank up to the gates of the Ardèche gorges at Saint-Just and Bourg-Saint-Andéol. These are soils of large quartzite pebbles with red clay composition at depth.
Very stony soils from peri-Alpine terraces and soils from slope scree. The former constitute vast flat surfaces covered with white gravels of weathered limestone. Slope scree is found in nearly all communes, at all altitudes and exposures. They can cover marls, sands, or limestone rocks.
Soils from hard limestone rocks: They date from the Cretaceous period and are conducive to vineyard establishment with their natural structure of thin fractured plates. These are shallow soils.
Soils from soft limestone rocks: marls. In the Côtes-du-Rhône, significant levels of "marls" (clay and calcareous silt without stones) are found at all geological levels. The soils are always calcareous and non-stony.
Soils from sands: Hillside lands composed of sands have three major geological origins: Pliocene for the right bank, Helvetian for the left bank, and Upper Cretaceous on the foothills of the Tave valley and the Uchaux massif.
Pebble soils, stony soils, and scree are conducive to producing age-worthy wines. Loess and sandy soils are better suited to producing white and rosé wines, as well as lighter reds.
AOP Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint Andéol: The terroir rests on rolling hills covered with rounded pebbles, typical of the southern Rhône alluvial zones; soils with reddish or purplish pebbles with a red clay horizon, rich in iron. There is also clay-limestone terroir with red clays from Urgonian limestone weathering with limestone fragments.
Landscapes
In southern Ardèche, this strip runs along the right bank of the Rhône. The viticultural landscapes of Côtes-du-Rhône extend across clay-limestone hillsides, terraces of rounded pebbles, and Mediterranean garrigue, often bordered by holm oak woods. Vine cultivation is organized between plain and hillsides. On one hand, farm buildings are generally surrounded by the estate's vineyards; the parcels are large and open. On the other hand, the hillsides are terraced, framed by stone walls and shrub vegetation and invite contemplation of panoramas overlooking the Alpine range across from them.
The Rhône River, which borders this part of the vineyard, plays a structuring role: it regulates temperatures, encourages morning mists, and influences the alluvial soils rich in pebbles, conducive to the maturity of southern grape varieties. This fluvial corridor, combined with the mistral and generous sunshine, shapes a living, contrasted terroir that produces characterful wines.
Terroir
The Côtes-du-Rhône appellation in southern Ardèche is based on a great diversity of soils and a windy climate influenced by the Rhône. Rounded pebbles, limestone gravels, marls, sands, and scree compose a contrasted terroir. Stony soils favor age-worthy reds, while sands and loess are suited to whites, rosés, and supple reds. This geological patchwork shapes expressive wines adapted to the local Mediterranean climate.
Grapes varieties
Twenty grape varieties are allowed in the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation. Mainly Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre for red wines, and Clairette, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier for white ones. Recently, new grape varieties have been added to the list; these developments enable adaptation to climate change.
AOC Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Saint-Andéol only concerns red wines. Their blend must include Grenache. Together with Syrah and Mourvèdre, these three varieties must represent at least 66% of the wine's blend.
Winegrowers
Embodying a proud and rooted terroir.
The wines
The AOC Côtes du Rhône wines are all generous, refined, pleasant, and spicy.
Thanks to the diversity of Ardèche terroirs, varied exposures, and Mediterranean climate, the wines come in red, white, and rosé. Each color reflects the identity of southern Ardèche, between Rhône tradition and local singularity. The appellation embodies the rise in quality of the Ardèche vineyard, with distinctive and promising wines.
- RED wines
Fruity, round, indulgent, or spicy, robust and structured, reds offer numerous culinary pairings ranging from simple grilled meats to sauced dishes. Winemakers perpetuate the Rhône art of blending, a know-how that combines grape varieties to reveal the full aromatic richness of their wines. - ROSÉ wines
Rosés, fresh and tender or spicy and flavorful, are companions to multiple flavors and allies of convivial moments. - WHITE wines
Whites, floral or fruity, full-bodied or rich, also lend themselves to infinite suggestions. - RED (only) AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages St Andéol
A young appellation in the Ardèche region of the Rhône Valley with a sunny and stony terroir, Saint-Andéol produces elegant red wines with aromas of garrigue, truffle and ripe fruit, driven by the rigor and passion of its winemakers.
The appellation
The Protected Designation of Origin (AOP) is the European equivalent of the AOC. It guarantees that a product originates from a specific territory, whose natural and human characteristics determine its quality. All production stages must take place there according to recognized expertise. This label protects the product's name throughout the European Union. Based on the concept of terroir, the AOP showcases the interaction between geographical environment, human practices, and collective history, which give the product its identity and reputation.
Key figures
AOC Côtes du Rhône
Vineyard
Production area 2024:
1048 HA
Average yield:
37 HL/HA
Production
Total production 2024:
38 391 HL
Territory
Soils composed of rounded pebbles, limestone gravels, marls, sands, and scree
Winegrowers
33
L'AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages St Andéol
Vineyard
Production area 2024:
56 HA
Average yield:
29 HL/HA
Grape varieties: Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, and Syrah
Production
Total production 2024:
1 658 HL
Territory
Soils composed of large pebbles (Villafranchian) and limestone (Urgonian)
Through a video, discover the event “La nuit de Saint-Andéol”: a collective adventure where passionate winemakers bring the appellation to life
Last May 2nd, over 700 of you came to share with us the second Nuit du Saint-Andéol in the grounds of the Château de Saint-Marcel-d'Ardèche. A magical atmosphere, convivial tastings, fascinating exchanges... and above all, lots of smiles!