Pegau

History

Pegau, a town in Saxony, Germany, has a rich history dating back to 1096 when a Benedictine monastery was founded by Wiprecht of Groitzsch. The town itself did not appear as a distinct entity until the close of the 12th century. It grew in prosperity due to its strategic location on the main east-west road and the presence of the monastery, which compiled the valuable chronicle *Annales pegavienses* covering the period from 1039 to 1227. The town hosted witch trials in 1604-1605 and absorbed the former municipality Kitzen in January 2012.

In contrast, Pegau is also the name of a renowned wine estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France. The Féraud family has been involved in viticulture since 1670. Laurence Féraud joined her father Paul at Domaine du Pégau in 1987, transforming it into an independent family estate. She expanded the vineyards from 17 to over 42 acres and successfully transitioned from bulk sales to bottling 100% of production. In 2012, she acquired Domaine de la Jouve, renaming it Château Pegau and introducing new wine labels like Cuvée Maclura and Cuvée Setier[2][4].

Terroir

The terroir of Pegau, particularly in the context of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is characterized by a unique combination of soils and climatic conditions. The appellation is known for its layer of stones known as galets roulés (pebble rock), which are usually quartzite and the remains of Alpine glaciers smoothed over millennia by the Rhone River. These stones store heat throughout the day and release it at night, helping to speed up grape ripening. The soil also acts as a barrier to keep moisture in the soil during hot summer months, contributing to the distinct flavor profiles of the wines.

The terroir of Pegau extends over the communes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Courthézon, and Bédarrides. The Domaine du Pegau plots are particularly notable for their terroirs, including La Crau West, La Crau East, and La Crau South, which are characterized by sands dotted with some pebbles. This diverse terroir contributes to the wines' power, minerality, and length, making them a quintessential expression of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation[2][5].