The Rhone wine region in southern France is situated in the Rhone Valley. It has been a centre of wine culture since ancient times. Viticulture arrived in southern France in the 4th century B.C. but it was the Romans who established the vineyards and reputation of the area as they were using the Rhone as their highway through France. The Rhone river begins in the Alps and   runs for 505 miles to the Mediterranean sea. Vineyards are located on both sides of the river and the northern and southern Rhone are unique with vastly different geography, climate, soils and grape varieties.