Famille Perrin is a wine producer based in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône Valley. The house produces wines across multiple appellations in the region, including their flagship Châteauneuf-du-Pape bottlings and wines under the La Vieille Ferme label, which extends their range to other Rhône and Provence terroirs such as Côtes du Rhône, Ventoux, and Luberon.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is known for full-bodied red wines built primarily on Grenache, often complemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre, and other southern Rhône varieties. The appellation's stony terrain (the name refers to the Pope's new castle) provides distinctive mineral character and forces vines to develop deep root systems. The broader La Vieille Ferme range demonstrates the versatility of these southern French terroirs across different elevation and soil types, producing reds, rosés, and whites that reflect the Mediterranean climate and classic Rhône blending traditions.

The current range emphasizes Grenache-based blends across red and rosé formats, alongside white wines built from Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, and other white varieties typical to the region. The consistency across multiple vintages and appellations reflects a house approach that prioritizes expression of place and traditional varietal combinations rather than single-varietal focus.

Wine has been produced in the Rhône Valley for over 500 years, with some of its vineyards being amongst the oldest in France. Syrah rules over the south with a mix of Mediterranean grapes, while in the north, the two stars are Hermitage – grown on an imposing granite hillside above the town of Tain and best put away in the back of the cellar for a decade – and Côte-Rôtie, a star appellation made famous by Guigal's single-vineyard wines, yet also home to dozens of fine producers as yet less well known. The sheer hillsides overlooking the river have to be terraced to make production possible.

St Joseph and Cornas also provide wines of weight and worth, but the best source for good value is Crozes-Hermitage, a satellite appellation which has come alive in the last few years with the arrival of young blood.

The river valley widens out south of Valence into Côtes du Rhône country on the windy alluvial plains and the lower slopes of the hills. It is a most imposing sight during the cold, clear, blue skies of Mistral conditions. The best of the wine villages of the Côtes du Rhône have been promoted to their own appellations - Vinsobres, Vacqueyras - close in quality to the better known Gigondas.

The king of the southern Rhône is Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Here the galets roulés, rounded rocks from the ancient river bed, provide the context for gloriously rich red wines that are redolent of the heat and herbs of the south, and enhanced by the complexity which comes from blending several grape varieties. Thirteen are permitted in all, but Grenache usually dominates, along with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support. A fine vintage needs eight to 10 years cellaring for best results.

If your taste runs to fuller, richer, relatively exotic white wines, then perhaps a white Hermitage or Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhône Valley would suit better, or else a marvellously perfumed, heady Condrieu - headquarters of the Viognier grape.

Ventoux is an AOC appellation in the southern Rhône Valley of France, established in 1973. Located on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, the famous mountain that features in the Tour de France, the appellation covers vineyards across 51 communes in the Vaucluse department. The vineyards sit at elevations ranging from 200 to 500 meters, benefiting from the cooling influence of the mountain's elevation.

The Mediterranean climate is moderated by altitude and the mistral wind, creating significant diurnal temperature variation that helps preserve acidity in the grapes. Soils vary from limestone and clay at lower elevations to more stony, well-draining soils higher up the slopes. The appellation permits traditional southern Rhône grape varieties, with Grenache and Syrah forming the backbone of most red blends, often complemented by Cinsault, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and other regional varieties. White and rosé wines are also produced, though red wines dominate production.

Ventoux red wines typically display fresh fruit character with moderate tannins and good acidity, reflecting the cooler mountain influence compared to other southern Rhône appellations. The wines often show red berry flavors from Grenache combined with the spice and structure that Syrah contributes. The elevation and wind exposure generally produce wines with more elegance and freshness than the warmer, lower-lying areas of the southern Rhône, making them approachable in youth while capable of modest aging.