Along the length of its winding waters and gentle banks, the Côtes du Rhône vineyards flourish across 171 communes.

The Rhône Valley has always been a convenient link between the Mediterranean and Northern or Atlantic Europe. Significant archaeological finds, along with historical studies, have established that the Côtes du Rhône was one of the world’s first winegrowing regions. As early as 125 BC, the Romans founded the town and vineyards of Vienne planting vines and building walls to protect the terraces. They made it into one of the most attractive areas in the Gallic region. In the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, wine production here was detailed in various written documents, and certainly by the 17th and 18th century, winemaking in the Rhône Valley was thriving. In 1650, regulations were introduced to ensure that the wine was authentic, and to safeguard its quality. Later, in 1737, a royal decree stipulated that all barrels destined for sale or transport must be branded with the letters “C.D.R”. The area’s fame increased further still and was formalized in 1937, when it became the AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) Côtes du Rhône.
Information by Vins Rhone 

The Cotes du Rhône Regional appellation features five main soil types: Rocky clay soils, pebbles and stony deposits (on hills and slopes) provide nutrients and a regular water supply. At night, they also release the heat stored by the stones during the day. These conditions are particularly well suited to producing wines with good aging potential.  Loess and sandy soils provide a less uniform water supply. They are better suited to making red and rosé wines and some lighter reds.