Nerthe, Chateau La
Summary
Château La Nerthe, one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's oldest estates dating to 1560, cultivates all 13 permitted varieties across 90 hectares of diverse terroir featuring the region's characteristic galets roulés alongside sand, clay, and limestone soils. The estate combines traditional methods with thoughtful modernization, maintaining organic certification since 1998 while utilizing gravity-flow systems and aging wines in their historic 16th-century underground cellar that provides natural temperature control.
Heritage & Leadership
Château La Nerthe stands as one of the oldest estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with records dating back to 1560 when the property was mentioned in local archives. The château itself was constructed in the 16th century and has been a continuous wine-producing estate since that time. After passing through several families over the centuries, including the Tulle de Villefranche family who owned it during the 18th century, Château La Nerthe was acquired by the Richard family in 1985. The Richard family, who own several wine properties in France, have invested significantly in modernizing the estate while preserving its historical character.
Since 2016, Ralph Garcin has served as the estate's Technical Director and winemaker, bringing experience from his previous work at notable Rhône Valley estates. Under his direction, La Nerthe has maintained its traditional approach while implementing technical improvements in both vineyard management and winemaking. The estate's management team has continued the commitment to organic farming that began in the 1990s, culminating in official certification in 1998.
Vineyards & Wines
Château La Nerthe encompasses 90 hectares (222 acres) of vineyards within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, making it one of the largest single estates in the region. The vineyards are planted across various parcels that showcase the appellation's diverse terroir. The estate's signature soil feature is the galets roulés—large, rounded stones that store heat during the day and release it to the vines at night—complemented by areas of sandy soils, clay, and limestone substrates.
The estate cultivates all 13 grape varieties permitted in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, with Grenache (40%), Syrah (33%), Mourvèdre (15%), and Cinsault forming the backbone of their red wines. White varieties, including Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Clairette, account for approximately 10% of the plantings. The vineyards include parcels with vines averaging 40 years of age, with some older sections exceeding 70 years. Vineyard elevations range from 50 to 100 meters above sea level, with various exposures that contribute to the complexity of the final wines.
La Nerthe produces several cuvées, including their flagship Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape red and white, the premium Cuvée des Cadettes (produced only in exceptional vintages), and Les Cassagnes de La Nerthe from their holdings in Côtes-du-Rhône Villages.
Philosophy & Practice
Château La Nerthe has embraced organic viticulture since the 1990s, receiving official certification from Ecocert in 1998. This commitment reflects their philosophy of expressing terroir through minimal intervention. The estate practices hand-harvesting across all vineyard parcels, with grapes sorted twice—once in the vineyard and again at the winery—to ensure only optimal fruit enters the production process.
The winemaking approach combines traditional and modern techniques. Red wines undergo temperature-controlled fermentation in a combination of concrete tanks and stainless steel vats. Aging protocols vary by cuvée, with the estate wines typically spending 12 months in a combination of large oak foudres and smaller barriques, with approximately 20% new oak. The premium Cuvée des Cadettes receives extended aging of 18-24 months in oak.
For white wines, La Nerthe employs gentle pressing followed by fermentation in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. The estate has invested in gravity-flow systems in their cellar to minimize harsh handling of the grapes and wine. Their cellar, partially underground and dating to the 16th century, provides natural temperature control that supports their low-intervention philosophy.
The estate's commitment to sustainability extends beyond organic certification to include water conservation measures, solar energy utilization, and biodiversity initiatives throughout the property, including the maintenance of olive groves and natural woodland areas between vineyard parcels.