Cellier des Dauphins is the largest producer of Côtes du Rhône wines, also known as the Union of Winemakers of Côtes du Rhône. It was created in 1965 when six cooperative wineries from the Drôme region decided to combine operations.
There are now thirteen member cooperatives situated across the Côtes du Rhône zone, in the land north of Orange and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes to Sérignan du Comtat. These cooperatives bring together over 3000 individual wine growers, with over 18,000 hectares (44,500 acres) of vineyards.
Wines are made in each of the individual cellars, then bottled and stored in the headquarters in Tulette, near Visan. Cellier des Dauphins makes around 90 million liters of wine a year, in regular and small-bottle formats. It is also a leading player in the bag-in-box category.
Cellier des Dauphin's extensive portfolio is based around numerous red, white and rosé Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages wines. It also makes smaller amounts of wines from appellations such as Vinsobres and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, as well as IGP and Vins de France wines, produced in partnership with growers from other regions.
Many of the vineyards are located on lands once owned by the Dauphin, the son of the French king – hence the name. The group is also known as the Union des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône (UVCDR).