Domaine Pégau takes its name from a type of 14th-century terracotta wine pitcher discovered during an archaeological dig around the Palais des Papes. The first deeds for the Féraud family’s property in Châteauneuf-du-Pape date back to 1733. However, it was only when the current generation’s great-grandparents extended the vineyard to 22 hectares that winemaking began in earnest. Elvira, who was married to Léon Féraud, was a winemaker and mother to 4 children. Her youngest child, Paul Féraud, began cultivating the family vineyard when he was 14 with the goal of producing locally on a small-scale. 1987 marked a turning point when Paul’s daughter returned home having studied viticulture and oenology and obtained a business school diploma in wines and spirits. She suggested to her parents that they create an independent domain together under the name Pégau. The family invested heavily in the venture, building a new winery for production and cellars to age the wine, but struggled to reap any financial rewards. In 1992 however, Domaine de Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape received some very positive reviews from various wine critics. At that point the domain started to export 90% of its wines and the family has since bought an additional 41 hectares of vineyards under the name Château Pégau.

The grapes are harvested by hand and are not destemmed. Fermented in concrete vats, the Laurence cuvée features no added yeasts, no temperature control, and only light sulphite addition. On completion of this laissez-faire vinification, it is matured in a single 30hl or 50hl wooden tun. The colour is garnet, with tinted highlights. The bouquet evokes scrubland, prunes or undergrowth as the wine ages. On the palate, the wine is solid and develops spicy notes.