Owned by the father-daughter duo of Paul and Laurence Féraud, Domaine du Pégau stands as one of the esteemed estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Renowned as a benchmark producer of classically-styled Châteauneuf wines, Pégau rightfully holds its place among the world’s finest wines.
The Férauds have been cultivating vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape since 1670, with documented ownership of their earliest vineyards dating back to 1733. In addition to grapes, they also tended to cherry and olive orchards. The expansion of their cultivated land to 54 hectares was attributed to Laurence’s great-grandparents and grandparents, Elvire & Léon Féraud. Among their four children, Paul, the youngest, started working full-time in the family business at the tender age of 14. Initially, the Férauds primarily sold their produce in bulk to prominent négociants like Jaboulet-Aine, David & Foillard, and Guigal. However, in 1964, Paul made the pivotal decision to release 5,000 bottles under his own label, marking the advent of estate bottling.
Laurence, the only child of Paul and Odette, pursued studies in business and marketing in Paris. After gaining experience in various wine sales roles, she returned to Châteauneuf-du-Pape to assist in managing the family estate. Laurence was brimming with innovative ideas and, to set themselves apart, suggested the creation of a family domaine with a distinctive name and label.
In 1987, Paul and Laurence launched Domaine du Pégau, naming it after the terracotta jugs used in the Pope’s summer residence, which contributed to the village’s name. During this period, the domaine possessed only 17 acres of vineyards, with a significant portion of the production still sold in bulk. In the ensuing years, Laurence gradually assumed greater responsibilities, acquiring esteemed old vineyards when available and constructing a modern winery. She boosted sales by expanding exports, with profits reinvested into the estate. The entire 1990 vintage was sold in bottles, solidifying Pégau’s reputation as one of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s premier domaines.
Despite the estate’s remarkable growth, which now encompasses nearly 52 acres of vineyards, it remains a hallmark of tradition, with winemaking practices staying true to their roots and changing very little over the past 150 years.
Domaine du Pégau wines are imported into Canada by Domaine Selections. Contact us today!