Domaine du Pégau

A story of roots and transmission

Although the Féraud family cultivates vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape since the 17th century, the domaine in its current form was born in 1987Laurence Féraud, after studying oenology and business, suggested to her father, Paul, that they create an independent business. They chose the name "Pégau", which refers to a terracotta jug used for wine in the Middle Ages (found during excavations in the Palace of the Popes).

Today, Laurence manages the domaine (now accompanied by her children), perpetuating the inimitable style instilled by her father.

Terroir and Philosophy in the Vineyard

THE domaine extends over approximately 21 hectares within the appellation Châteauneuf-du-Pape (plus other hectares in Côtes-du-Rhône), divided into 11 different parcels. These include some of the appellation's greatest terroirs, notably the legendary plateau of La Craurich in rolled pebbles and red clays.

• Respect for the 13 grape varieties: Le Pégau is a fervent defender of the tradition of multiple blends. The Grenache Noir (from vieilles vignes (of over 50 years old, and some centenarians) remains king, but it is complemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre and a myriad of other historical grape varieties.

• Peasant viticulture: Here, there is no excessive use of chemicals. The soil is worked traditionally, yields are kept very low naturally, and the harvest is exclusively manual.

The Pégau Style: The art of "Whole Harvest" and traditional farming

If the Domaine Pégau is so famous because he refuses to give in to the trends of modern, hyper-technological and standardized wines.

• Winemaking: The red grapes are made into wine. in whole bunches (without destemming), which is rare today. The stems (the pad of the grape) bring tannic freshness, a unique structure and incredible aromatic complexity if the grapes are perfectly ripe.

• Livestock farming: No new oak barrels are used in the cellar for the reds. The wines are aged for a minimum of two years in old traditional oak casks (large barrels of several thousand liters). This allows the wine to oxygenate slowly without ever being masked by aromas of vanilla or roasted wood.

The Wine Profile

• In Red: The flagship of domaine East la cuvée "Reserved Cuvée"This is an intense, dense wine with a dark color. The nose is a journey to the South: prune, black cherry jam, licorice, leather, tar, and wild notes of game, smoked meat, and undergrowth. On the palate, the tannins are powerful but enveloped by a generous texture.

• In White: There "Cuvée Réservée" white (Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Roussanne) is a gastronomic white wine, floral, rich and mineral, to be paired with bouillabaisse or creamy white meats.

Exceptional Wines

Beyond the superb Reserved CuvéeLaurence Féraud isolates two collector's cuvées during great vintages, highly sought after by enthusiasts worldwide:

• La Cuvée Laurence: It's essentially la Cuvée Reserved, but which has benefited from prolonged aging in large oak casks (up to 4 years), offering a silkier, more complex and already patinated wine.

• La Cuvée da Capo: Coming mostly from the very vieilles vignes From La Crau, this monumental vintage is only produced in exceptional years (such as 1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2015 or 2016). It is a monster of concentration, awarded 100/100 several times by the famous critic Robert Parker.
  
  A Pop-Culture Nod: THE Domaine Pégau is particularly famous in Japan and among manga fans: the "Cuvée da Capo" (2000 vintage) was chosen to embody the "Third Apostle" in the famous comic strip about wine The Drops of God.