Domaine du Pegau

Domaine du Pegau is an esteemed winery nestled in the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region in the Southern Rhône valley of France. As a family-owned estate with a rich history, Pegau's winemaking roots can be traced back to at least the 17th century, but it gained its current renown when Laurence Féraud joined forces with her father, Paul Féraud, in the 1980s to showcase the best of the terroir.

This winery is renowned for producing robust and elegantly complex wines, with a focus on traditional winemaking practices that have been passed down through generations. Their vineyards, spanning approximately 21 hectares, are planted with an assortment of grape varieties typical of the region, including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault for their reds, as well as Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, and Bourboulenc for the whites.

The age of the vines in Domaine du Pegau’s vineyards is noteworthy, with some plots boasting vines that are over a century old. These old vines contribute to the depth and concentration found in Pegau's wines, as they yield fewer but more intensely flavored grapes. The vineyards are farmed organically, ensuring a deep respect for the land and the integrity of the wine.

The winery is most famous for its Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvées, which are a true expression of the region's characteristic garrigue (the wild, aromatic scrubland of Southern France), with notes of thyme, lavender, and rosemary often discernible on the nose. These wines typically display a rich tapestry of flavors, including dark fruits, leather, anise, and tobacco, with a structure that allows them to age gracefully for decades.

The flagship wine, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée, is a sublime example of Pegau's portfolio, often regarded as a benchmark for the appellation. This cuvée is a blend of predominantly Grenache with a supportive cast from other traditional varieties, aged in large, old oak foudres that add complexity without overshadowing the wine's natural character. They also produce a special cuvée, the Cuvée Laurence, which is aged for a longer period before release, resulting in a wine with added layers of nuance and elegance.

The Domaine also offers a selection of other wines, including its Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, named Cuvée Setier, which provides an approachable introduction to the Féraud family's winemaking style, and the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, a rare white that exhibits the richness and aromatic complexity characteristic of the region's white wines.

Visitors to Domaine du Pegau can expect a warm welcome and an immersive experience, often with the opportunity to meet the Féraud family and learn about their profound connection to the land. Tastings at the winery allow guests to explore the breadth of Pegau's offerings, with an emphasis on the unique characteristics that each vintage brings.

For wine enthusiasts and collectors alike, Domaine du Pegau represents the quintessential Châteauneuf-du-Pape experience, producing wines that are not only reflective of their storied terroir but also emblematic of the passion and dedication inherent to one of the world's great wine-making families.