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Château La Nerthe Winery Guide

Cellar Tours Insight — Since 2003, Cellar Tours has planned private wine journeys through the world’s leading wine regions, pairing tailor-made itineraries with VIP winery visits, fine dining, and expert regional guidance.

Winery Overview

Château La Nerthe is one of the historic names of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with estate records dating to 1560 and a château built over centuries above the southern Rhône vineyards. Today, under the Richard family, La Nerthe combines its long heritage with certified organic viticulture, parcel-based work across 92 hectares, and a refined range of red and white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.

Château La Nerthe owes its origins to the aristocratic Tulle family of Villefranche, who acquired the Rhône Château in 1560. Under their stewardship, the Château soon developed an enviable reputation for quality, helping to put the region on the fine wine map. European royalty showed an interest in la Nerthe, and the wine was served in Royal Courts in London, Rome, Versailles, and beyond. The estate remained in the Tulle family for generations until the outbreak of phylloxera in the 19th century, which wiped out most of Europe’s vineyards. Tulle sold the estate to Commandant Joseph Ducos. The estate passed through later ownership before the Richard family acquired it in April 1985. Trusting the legendary vineyard manager Alain Dugas with his wines, Château La Nerthe went from strength to strength until Dugas retired in 2008.

The modern era began in 1985, when the Richard family acquired the estate and restored both the château and the vineyards. The property was expanded in 1991 and certified organic by Ecocert in 1998, making La Nerthe one of the appellation’s early organic pioneers. Its best wines today are defined by old vines, traditional Rhône varieties, and a polished but terroir-driven style.

Private Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine Tour

Private Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tour

Explore the southern Rhône with a private driver-guide, tailored tastings, and visits to leading Châteauneuf-du-Pape estates such as Château La Nerthe and Château de Nalys, subject to availability.

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Further Reading

Author

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James Lawrence

With a passion for food & drink that verges on the obsessive, wine writer James Lawrence has traveled the world in search of the perfect tipple. To date, nothing has surpassed the 1952 R. López de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva, tasted in the cobweb-filled cellars with owner María José. Meanwhile, James has been writing for a wide variety of publications for over 12 years, including Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers, The Drinks Business, and Wine Business International. He lives in South Wales and returns to his former university city, Bilbao, as much as possible.

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