A nobleman by the name of Guillaume de Fortia was given a piece of land in the area known as Châteauneuf-du-Pape amid Provence in the 12th century. Located on the left bank of the Rhône River, the region was already well-known for having rich soil and a temperate temperature that were ideal for growing wine. Guillaume planted the first vines after realising the possibilities of his new properties. This served as inspiration for the eventual Chateau La Nerthe.
Chateau La Nerthe
BP 28 Route de Sorgues
84230 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France
Phone: +33 (0)4 90 83 70 11
info@chateaulanerthe.fr | www.chateaulanerthe.fr | Chateau La Nerthe on Google Maps
The Fortia family flourished, and as their reputation grew, so did their vineyards. The wines of Chateau La Nerthe were well known outside of their local markets by the fourteenth century. The Catholic Church relocated its headquarters from Rome to Avignon during this time, coinciding with the Avignon Papacy. The popes, who were well-known for enjoying good wine, learned about Chateau La Nerthe’s superior output. The vineyard’s reputation as one of the best estates in the area was cemented when its wines were served in the papal court, causing its fortunes to surge.
Grandeur in Architecture
The Fortia family decided to construct a stately chateau in the sixteenth century. When Chateau La Nerthe was built, its exquisite Renaissance architecture was on display. The estate became a representation of the Fortia family’s riches and power, in addition to being a hub for fine winemaking. The chateau served as a testimony to the founders’ continuing heritage with its majestic exterior and exquisitely manicured gardens.
The French Revolution, a time of great turmoil, occurred in the late 1700s. As nobles, the Fortia family was caught in the crossfire of the revolutionary fervour. The family departed once their holdings were taken, abandoning the château and its vines. But the lineage of Chateau La Nerthe’s wine was preserved because the local peasantry, who had long worked the vineyards and recognised their importance, continued to care for the plantings in secret.
The Tulle de Villefranche family bought the chateau at the beginning of the 19th century, once the chaos of the Revolution had passed. They started a massive restoration project for the chateau’s vineyards as well. To revitalise the estate’s winemaking traditions, they brought in new experts and introduced modern viticultural techniques. Their perseverance paid off, and by the middle of the 1800s, Chateau La Nerthe was once again turning out superb wines.
Europe’s vineyards were completely destroyed by the phylloxera pandemic in the later half of the 1800s. Not that Chateau La Nerthe was exempt. The microscopic aphids devastated the estate’s vines, posing one of its biggest problems. Nevertheless, the estate managed to overcome this problem with fortitude and resourcefulness. The recovery and improvement of Chateau La Nerthe’s vineyards were made possible by the adoption of grafting French vines onto resilient American rootstock.
For Chateau La Nerthe, the 20th century was a time of modernization and change. The estate used both conventional and modern winemaking methods. Understanding and utilising the distinct qualities of the estate’s many soils became crucial, with a focus on terroir. During this time, the vineyard was expanded to include a wider range of grape varieties, including Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, all of which added to the wines’ depth and complexity.
Sustainable viticulture was pioneered at Chateau La Nerthe in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The estate began using organic agricultural methods after seeing how important it was to protect the land for coming generations. The soil and plants were kept in good condition by using natural fertilisers, low-intervention methods, and a comprehensive vineyard management strategy. This dedication to sustainability improved the wines’ quality while also protecting the environment.
The Tradition Goes On
Among the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation’s modern beacons of excellence and tradition is Chateau La Nerthe. The chateau itself is still a testament to the estate’s illustrious past. It is a superbly maintained example of Renaissance architecture. The well-maintained vines yield wines that are praised globally for their richness, nuance, and terroir expression.
Every bottle of Chateau La Nerthe wine is evidence of the estate’s centuries-long commitment, inventiveness, and passion. Every drink carries the legacy of Guillaume de Fortia and the several land stewards who came after him. One can sense the deep link to a history that has shaped one of the most revered wines in the world as the sun sets over the undulating vineyards, bathing the ancient stones of the chateau in a golden glow.
