WineRegionsOld WorldFranceRhoneSouth
On the left bank of the Rhone, between Orange and Mont Ventoux, Gigondasis the culminating point of these splendid slopes which group Vacqueyras,Seguret, Sablet, and Beaumes de Venise. Pliny spoke of them long ago inhis "Natural History" and the bishops of Orange developed thevineyard as long ago as the fourteenth century. Grenache is the basic plantof Gigondas, aided by mourvedre and syrah, and this fortunate combinationensures its panache and its life. Its strength and character, its abilityto age allied to the invariable quality of its production has made Gigondasthe pride of the Rhone Valley, and one of the great wines of France. 
Appellation established in 1971 after being elevated from basic Cotes duRhone Villages.
Total acreage, about 3000 acres with another 3700 acres available for expansion.
Minimum alcohol is 12.5%: Maximum yield is 35 ML/HA (amounts to 160 casesper acre).
No machine harvesting or chaptalization permitted.