Buy Chateau Fortia Wines online from Great Wines Direct

One of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's oldest properties is Chateau Fortia. Despite being named for the Marques de Fortia d'Urban, who owned the property in the 18th century, the Le Roy family, who took over in the early 20th century, is most famous for having possessed it.

The first was Baron Pierre Le Roy de Boiseumarie, who organised a neighbourhood producers' syndicate and created rules for the area's wines. These rules covered a defined production area, restrictions on the types of vines that might be planted, cultivation and vinification techniques, and mandatory grape sorting during harvest.

In the end, Baron Le Roy's actions led to the development of the Appellation Controlee system throughout the entirety of France and beyond in Europe.