Costco Kirkland Châteauneuf-du-Pape Winemaker: Who Makes It, and What Are Other Options You Can Find?
Costco's Rhône Valley red comes from a respected French winemaker, offering shoppers an affordable way to explore a famous wine region
C ostco 's Kirkland Signature wines have built a following among shoppers looking for bottles that deliver more than their price tags suggest.
One of the standout options is the retailer's Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a French red wine that normally commands a premium because of its prestigious appellation and long winemaking tradition.
But who actually makes the bottle carrying Costco's name? The answer is Guillaume Gonnet , a third-generation winemaker based in France's southern Rhône Valley.
Rather than relying on an anonymous bulk producer, Costco works with a winemaker who also sells wines under his own name. The partnership helps explain why the Kirkland version has attracted attention from wine enthusiasts looking for value.
The wine is typically priced around $20 to $25 in the United States, although the exact cost can vary by vintage, location and availability. That's considerably less than many bottles from the same appellation, where established producers often charge substantially more.
According to Costco UK's product information, the 2022 Kirkland Signature Châteauneuf-du-Pape was created by Gonnet and brings together fruit from the appellation's different terroirs.
The retailer describes a deep-purple wine with blackberry and cassis notes, complemented by cedar and concentrated fruit flavours. It recommends pairing the bottle with lamb, pork or poultry.
For shoppers, the attraction is straightforward: access to a recognised French wine style without paying the price usually associated with a prestigious regional label.
Why Guillaume Gonnet is behind Costco's French red
Gonnet belongs to a winemaking family with deep roots in the Rhône Valley. His experience in Châteauneuf-du-Pape gives the Kirkland label a direct connection to the region rather than simply borrowing its name.
The wine is a blend led by Grenache, with Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre completing the mix. The commonly reported composition is 70% Grenache and 10% of each of the other three varieties.
Each grape contributes something different. Grenache supplies ripe fruit and body, Syrah can add darker flavours and spice, Mourvèdre contributes structure, and Cinsault helps bring aromatic freshness. Together, they create the kind of layered red blend associated with the southern Rhône.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape itself is among France's best-known wine appellations. Its vineyards feature a mixture of pebbles, clay, sand and limestone, while the warm Mediterranean climate helps grapes ripen fully.
The region's distinctive rounded stones can absorb heat during the day and release it after sunset, contributing to the conditions in which the vines grow.
The name also carries centuries of history, with the area closely associated with the papacy in Avignon during the 14th century. Its reputation today rests on a combination of place, grape varieties and winemaking tradition, not simply the prestige of its label??.
