Created by Etienne Grangeon 70 years ago, the property originally comprised 2 hectares of Grenache. It was developed further by the driving force of his son Alain, who joined the domaine in 1963. Passionate about viticulture, he notably contributed to the expansion of the domaine and planted improved grape varieties such as Syrah and Mourvèdre and created the identity of Cristia, based on the knowledge and respect of its soils. Then, in 1999, Baptiste and Dominique joined their father. Their priorities were to concentrate on selecting the best parcels in order to produce a wine of a great quality, with a good ageing potential, to commercialise in France as well as for export.

Crozes-Hermitage is an appellation of the northern Rhône valley in France. It covers a relatively large area on the eastern bank of the river, to the north and south of Tain L'Hermitage town. It is much larger than the prestigious Hermitage appellation which it surrounds, both in area and in terms of production volume. The fruit is grown on more fertile soil than found in the Hermitage vineyards, which encourages plant growth rather than optimal fruit ripening. In addition, the valley floor does not benefit from refreshing air currents or prolonged sunshine. This can lead to slightly stewed flavors in the wine in hot years.