Châtillon-en-Diois AOC is a still wine of all three colours from the eastern extremities of France’s Rhône Valley region. It hails from 12 villages to the south and east of Die (see the Diois area) in the Drôme valley (Drôme department) in southeastern France. The Drôme runs south of Die on to the most southerly wine-producing village, Poyols, which is 11 miles (19km) from Die (John Livingstone-Learmonth: 1992, 3rd edition). The region was promoted from VDQS to AOC status in 1974.

Communes (12): Aix-en-Diois, Barnave, Châtillon-en-Diois, Laval-d’Aix, Luc-en-Diois, Menglon, Molières-Glandaz, Montlaur-en-Diois, Montmaur-en-Diois, Poyols, Recoubeau-Jansac, Saint-Roman.

Terroir: On the slopes of the Vercors Regional Natural Park, between the Drôme Pre-Alps and Provence, south-east of Die, in the northern part of the southern subalpine chains called “Haut-Diois”, and at the confluence of Bez and Drôme rivers. The area is limited, to the north, by the Glandasse mountain (Vercors cliffs), and to the south, by the Claps (gigantic limestone landslide) of Luc-en-Diois. Within this geographical area, the mountain vineyard covers only 36 hectares and is located on clay-limestone hills, whose altitude is generally between 500 meters and 650 meters, and which are protected from the north wind by the cliffs of Vercors. The commune of Châtillon-en-Diois is  backed by the Glandasse massif (2000 meters above sea level), overlooking the Bez valley, a torrential tributary of the Drôme. The hillside, whose average altitude is around 550 metres, enjoys an extremely favorable southern exposure.

Climate: temperate, with very degraded Mediterranean nuances, directly linked to this altitude and to the proximity of the Vercors massif.

Vineyard area & wine production: 2002 2,455hl from 50ha (Guide Hachette des Vins 2004, p.1065).

Wines

Châtillon en Diois AOC Blanc: Aligoté and Chardonnay.

Châtillon en Diois AOC Rosé: 75% Gamay, 25% Syrah and Pinot noir.

Châtillon en Diois AOC Rouge: 75% Gamay, 25% Syrah and Pinot noir.