Châteauneuf-du-Pape is located in the northwest part of the Vaucluse, a French department created in the late 18th century. It is named after the narrow valley where the River Sorgue rises (Vallis Clausa in Latin).
The Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation is bordered on the west by the Rhône River, and the famous Mont Ventoux is located 40 km to the east. The town of Châteauneuf is on a hillside, and features the ancient castle at 110m altitudes. The surrounding vineyards are on rolling land and a large plateau that starts west of Mont-Redon (119 m), going eastward to its highest point in Pied Long (128 m) and finishing southward in the lieu-dit La Crau
