Rhône, France
Clos des Papes
The estate that helped write the rules of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Est. 1896
About the Estate
Clos des Papes is one of the defining estates of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Avril family has been making wine here since 1896, and the first Paul Avril was directly involved in creating the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation in 1936, writing the rules that became the model for all French appellations. The estate produces just two wines, one red and one white, with no special cuvées or prestige bottlings. When the 2005 red won Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in 2007, demand went through the roof. The current owner, Paul-Vincent Avril, trained at Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux before joining the family estate in 1988. He uses no new oak, no excessive extraction, and ages the wines in old foudres. The result is Châteauneuf with a Burgundian sense of finesse.
Grape Varieties
Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Picpoul, Roussanne, Marsanne
Heritage & Milestones
A journey through time, celebrating the moments that defined our legacy
First Vintage Under the Clos des Papes Name
Paul Avril (1873–1962) begins selling wine as Clos des Papes, making it one of the first estate-bottled wines in the Southern Rhône. The brand is officially registered in 1902.
Writing the Rules
Paul Avril is directly involved in creating the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, helping write the AOC regulations that become the template for all French wine appellations.
Wine Spectator Wine of the Year
The 2005 Clos des Papes rouge wins Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year, vaulting the estate from respected insider name to global demand. Allocations become extremely difficult to obtain.
First Vintage Under the Clos des Papes Name
Paul Avril (1873–1962) begins selling wine as Clos des Papes, making it one of the first estate-bottled wines in the Southern Rhône. The brand is officially registered in 1902.
Writing the Rules
Paul Avril is directly involved in creating the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, helping write the AOC regulations that become the template for all French wine appellations.
Wine Spectator Wine of the Year
The 2005 Clos des Papes rouge wins Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year, vaulting the estate from respected insider name to global demand. Allocations become extremely difficult to obtain.
Vineyard Location
Rhône, France
Terroir
35 hectares spread across 24 separate parcels in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The diversity of sites is a key part of the wine's complexity: soils range from the famous galets roulés (large rolled pebbles) of La Crau to sandy plots in the southeast and clay-limestone plateaus in the north. 4 hectares are dedicated to white varieties. All 13 permitted grape varieties are planted. The red is typically about 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah and 5% others. Certified organic. No new oak is used, ever. Wines are aged in old foudres for 12–15 months and bottled unfiltered.
Available Wines
Discover our curated selection from Clos des Papes
