A Gallo-Roman heritage
The appellation and its vineyards are rooted in a thousand years of history. When the Romans conquered the area, they brought vine cultivation to Cairanne. There is no written evidence from this period. Only amphorae filled with wine, and statuettes holding cups, remain to testify to the existence of the vineyard.
Discover these artefacts displayed at the Museum of Romanity – Caveau du Cairanne.
The growth of the vineyard in the Middle Ages
In the 8th century, the first written mention of “Queylane” was found. The barbarian invasions put an end to the vineyard’s prosperity. It wasn’t until the 9th century, with the revival of the religious orders, that vine cultivation regained its importance. From the 12th century, the Cairanne vineyard developed under the influence of the Templars, who owned land there. In 1123, the name ‘Castri Cayranne’ appeared in a papal bull, confirming the establishment of the village on its fortified promontory. Then, in the 14th century, Cairanne came under the protection of the Popes.
A turning point in agriculture in the 19th century
Cairanne has always been an agricultural village. The farms in the area practiced livestock farming and polyculture, almost in complete self-sufficiency. On the same plot, vines, fruit trees, vegetables, and cereals thrived together.
In the mid-19th century, the vineyard was flourishing. Thanks to the railway, wine could travel further, allowing Cairanne wines to gain broader recognition. In spring 1869, an event disrupted the vine-growing dynamism of the commune. The vines are affected by a microscopic insect, phylloxera, which will destroy nearly all French vineyards. It would take the development of a grafting technique for a solution to be found. Rebuilding the vineyards was a long process, and the local varieties were saved by using American rootstocks.
The apogee of 20th century wine growing
During the 20th century, Cairanne consolidated its wine-growing character. In addition to the vineyards that had long surrounded the village, cultivation expanded toward the Aygues terraces, on the Ventabren mountain and in the southern part of the commune. The olive trees, a legacy from past generations, were damaged by the harsh winters of 1929, 1940, and 1956. The particularly severe frost of 1956 led to their destruction and undeniably contributed to the expansion of vineyard areas.
In 1929, driven by a collective spirit, the winegrowers established the Cairanne cooperative cellar. The Cairanne Winegrowers’ Defense Syndicate was founded in the same year. Early on, the winegrowers succeeded in bringing the locals together around Cairanne wine. This village spirit is reflected in the Caveau du Belvédère, the first Côtes du Rhône wine-tasting cellar, opened in 1959 – now located in the heart of the village and renamed the Caveau du Cairanne.
The final recognition in 2016
Since 1937, the commune of Cairanne has been part of the Côtes du Rhône appellation area. In 1953, it became possible to use the name ‘Cairanne’ alongside the mention ‘Côtes du Rhône’, even before the creation of the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages. This right was reaffirmed in 1967 with the official recognition of AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne.
In pursuit of greater recognition for their wines, the winemakers applied for local appellation status in 2008.
A crowning achievement for the winemakers and their precious terroir, Cairanne became part of the Cru des Côtes du Rhône family in 2016.
