The appellation was recognised on 27 April 1940 for Condrieu, Vérin and Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, then extended in 1967 to Chavanay, Malleval, Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf and Limony. Most soils come from weathered rock, chiefly granite: sandy, poor and crumbly, with a few small pockets of loess. The vines stand on narrow terraces held by dry stone walls, mostly facing south and south-east, and the grapes are picked by hand.

Viognier nearly vanished along with the vineyard. In 1965 only about eight hectares were left, and replanting started from them; by 2009 some 150 hectares were in production. Georges Vernay took over his family estate in Condrieu in 1953, replanted its slopes and led the appellation's growers for thirty years. The estate began at the foot of the Coteau de Vernon, which gives its name to one of its wines.

Condrieu is golden, with ripe peach and above all apricot, sometimes violet and white flowers. It is full and rich, kept from heaviness by its freshness. Most of it is dry, at times off-dry, and in some years a little sweet wine is made from overripe grapes. It is often drunk young, though it can also be kept.

Château-Grillet, an appellation of four hectares held by a single estate, lies within Condrieu and also grows only Viognier. Domaine Stéphane Ogier has had vines in Condrieu since 2007, and Maison Stéphan grows Viognier on its granite.

The wines above are the Condrieu wines in the cellar. See also Côte-Rôtie to the north, Saint-Joseph to the south, or the full range of Rhône Valley wines.