The vineyards are situated in the seven communes of Limony, Chavanay, Malleval, Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, Saint-Pierre-de Boeuf, Vérin, and Condrieu.

This was particularly felt by some Rhône appellations in the early post-World War II era, including Condrieu and its neighbour Côte-Rôtie, with the 1950s and 1960s a particularly difficult time.

From this time, the négociant business of Marcel Guigal at Ampuis helped expand the market for Condrieu wines.

[5] The increase in demand led to new plantations inside the appellation's border, which at the time was far from fully exploited and at one stage included many abandoned vineyards.

[5][6] As in much of Northern Rhone, the climate of Condrieu is continental and characterized by cold wet winters and hot summers.

Ideally situated vineyards are planted on granite soils and face south, which aids growth during the cool months of late spring and early autumn.

[1] In some areas the soil includes a fine layer of decomposed chalk, flint and mica which is known in the region as arzelle.

[7] The best vineyards have some natural shelter from the fierce northern winds that blow through the region and wreak havoc during flowering.

[8] The Condrieu AOC covers more than 500 acres (202 ha)[9] of hilly terrain located along a 12 miles (19 km) stretch of the Rhône.

[7] The Viognier grape is naturally low in acidity, which challenges growers and winemakers to keep the wine from becoming flabby and bleak.