Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller took place from October 13 - October 23. The tour started in Lyon and ended in Châteauneuf-du-Pap/ Avignon. There were 8 of us including Annette and me.
We started out at #worldclass Domaine Pegau, where, after a tour of the cellar, owner/ winemaker Laurence Feraud showed us her wines. We also met long-time winemaker Andreas Lenzenwöger (from Austria).
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
In the 13th century, during their stay in Avignon, the Popes – especially Pope John XXII - built a papal summer castle in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They found out that the area had exceptional soils, and they established vineyards on the slopes surrounding the summer palace.
I found a nice article in the Los Angeles Time: “Popes throughout history have liked their juice, and when the Papal Seat moved to Avignon in the 13th century, that juice was Châteauneuf-du-Pape ("the pope's new castle") made from grapes grown nearby in the Southern Rhône. The castle is a ruin now, the papal court long gone back to Rome, but the wines that bear the pope's coat of arms emblazoned on the bottles are still produced more or less according to the long-standing recipe. Not every winemaker uses all 13 of the grapes in the prescribed blend, though.”
The wines grow on a soil that is a mixture of large quartz stones (galets roulés) and sandy red clay. The large sun-warmed galets roulés reflect the sunlight and diffuse a gentle, provençal heat that helps the grapes to mature and their juice to concentrate. A very strong southern wind - the Mistral - whips up through the Rhône valley from the Mediterranean Sea and creates a welcome cooling effect, since the region can be pretty hot and dry.
With more than 8,000 acres under vine, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the largest appellation in the Rhône. It was the first wine region in France to gain AOC (today AOP) status in 1936.
Domaine du Pègau in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
There is evidence that the Féraud family cultivated vines as early as 1733. However, Domaine Pegau only came into existence in 1987 when Paul Féraud and his daughter Laurence created the estate with initially 17.5 acres of vineyard holdings.
Today the domaine has a total of 51 acres in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation with a small percentage (about 4 acres) of white grapes; 67 acres of the Côte du Rhône Village appellation, 5 acres of Côte de Rhône, and 53 acres VSIG (vins sans identité géographique – vin de France). Pegau produces two special Châteauneuf-du-Pape red cuvées: one is the ‘Cuvée da Capo’ made most years and coming from a plot in La Crau. The lieu dit ‘La Crau’ is a very special plot in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard sites and the most famous one. It is the area towards Courthézon and particularily rich in the “galets roulés”, round rocks or pebbles covering the clay soil, and perfect for retaining the heat.
Domaine du Pégau is one of the top Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers and always among the top 3 in France’s Revue du Vin, Wine Advocate and other important magazines.
Domaine du Pégau
Domaine du Pegau is a well-known and respected wine producer based in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is known for its traditional-styled wines from that appellation, based on the Grenache grape variety.
The estate had its beginnings under Elvira and Leon Feraud in the mid-1900s. However, the land the estate sits on has been cultivated with vines, olives and fruits since the 1600s.
The domaine in its modern form was created by Paul Feraud, the son of Elvira and Leon, in 1987. He had previously produced and sold a small amount of wine each year to negociants around France. His daughter Laurence, back from her winemaking and wine business studies, convinced him to create an independently owned family domaine. Within a few years it was regarded as one of the best in the appellation.
The winery was built in 1989 and today the majority of the wines are produced there. Domaine du Pegau now owns 21 hectares (52 acres) of red Châteauneuf-du-Pape vines and two hectares of white.
Domaine du Pegau - Château Pégau (wine-searcher)
Château du Pégau
A range of other Côtes du Rhône Villages, Côtes du Rhône and Vin de France wines are made under the Château de Pégau label from fruit grown at an estate 6 kilometers north of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Pegau name comes from a type of wine jug used in the 14th Century. The acute accent appears on the 'e' of Pegau on the label of these wines but not those of Domaine de Pegau (where the word is capitalized).
Domaine du Pegau range
The domaine makes three red Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvées. All three can feature the full 13 permitted grape varieties.
- Cuvée Réservée: the core release; 80 percent Grenache, 6 percent Syrah, 4 percent Mourvèdre, 10 percent others. Aged for two years in old 5000-liter oak casks
- Cuvée Laurence: as per the above but matured in cask for four years
- Cuvée da Capo: the deluxe cuvée based on select Grenache from the estates Le Crau vineyard. Only made in the best vintages. 70 percent Grenache, 7 percent Syrah, 3 percent Mourvèdre, 20 percent others. Aged for two years in old oak casks
There are two white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines:
- Cuvée Reservée: 60 percent Clairette, 20 percent Grenache Blanc, 10 percent Bourboulenc, 10 percent Roussanne. Three months in stainless steel tanks before bottling
- Cuvée A Tempo: One third each of Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Made in a mix of old barrels, stainless steel tanks and concrete eggs. Bottled after 8 months
Arriving
Bye-bye
Arriving in Lyon: Saucisson Sec, Saint-Marcellin Cheese and a Bottle of Rhône Rouge at Le Broc'Bar for Dinner - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Sunday Morning Stroll on the St. Antoine Market on the Banks of the Soane River Market in Lyon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Meet&Greet (+ Introduction to the Rhône Valley Region) at Grand Hôtel des Terreaux in Lyon and Guided Sightseeing Tour of Lyon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
"Menu Tradition" at Grand Café des Négociants - Created in 1864 - in Lyon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
At the Foot of the Hermitage Hill and Tasting at Maison M. Chapoutier in Tain l’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch with a View of the Hermitage Hill at Brasserie Route N7 in Tain l’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Quick Stop at Valrhona, the Famous Chocolate Producer, in Tain l’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar
Tour and Tasting at Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet,
Croze-Hermitage, with Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet - Rhône Valley
2024 by ombiasy WineTours
3-course Dinner at Restaurant Le Quai in Tain L’Hermitage - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar
Tour and Tasting at Caveau Ferraton Père & Fils in Tain
L’Heremitage, with Jerome Nuss - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Domaine Yves Cuilleron in Chavanay, Northern Rhône, with Thibaut Jager - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Next to Maison Guigal: Lunch at Le Bistro de Serine in Ampuis - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour at Maison Guigal and Guigal Tasting at Château d’Ampuis, with Kim Conley - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Focus
on "Natural Wine": Meeting Alice Feiring at Le Moderne Wine Bar of
Romane Vallon in Toulon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting in the Cellar at Cave Sébastien Blachon in Saint-Jean de Muzols, Northern Rhône, with Sébastien Blachon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy
WineTours
Vineyard
Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting from Barrel and from Bottle at Domaine
Alain Graillot in Pont-de-l’Isère, Northern Rhône, with Maxime Graillot - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
High-end Wine Pairing Lunch at La Grand Table Maison Chabran, with Chef Louis Chabran and Legend Michel Chabran - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy
WineTours
High-end Tasting at Paul Jaboulet Aîné in Tain-l’Hermitage, Northern Rhône - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Domaine Alary in Cairanne, Southern Rhône, with Jean Etienne Alary and Senior Boss Denis Alary - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Domaine Chaume-Arnaud in Vinsobres, Southern Rhône, with Valérie Chaume-Arnaud and Virginia Fréguin - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch at Restaurant Le Mesclun in Séguret, with Artist Chef Christophe Bonzi - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting
and Cellar Tour at Domaine Saint Gayan in Gigondas, Southern Rhône,
with Owner/ Winemaker Christian-Yves Carré de Lusançay - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Dinner at Restaurant Domaine de Cabasse, Séguret - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine des Pasquiers in Sablet, Southern Rhône, with Jean Claude, Philippe and Perrin Lambert - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting in the Front-yard at Domaine La Ligière in Beaumes-de-Venise - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
3-course
Lunch at Restaurant Auberge Saint Roch in Beaumes-de-Venise, with the
Husband and Wife Team Johann and Isabelle from Corsica - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting in the Cellar at Domaine La Martinelle in Lafare, Ventoux, with Owner/ Winemaker Corinne Faravel - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Charcuterie and Cheese Dinner with Rosé Wines at Hôtel Le Mas de l’Oulivié, Les Baux de Provence - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Olive
Trees Tour, Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Mas de
Gourgonnier in Mouriès, Alpilles, with Owner/ Winemaker Eve Cartier - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
3-course Lunch at Le Mas Teulière in Maussane-les-Alpilles - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Van Gogh and the Romans: Sightseeing in Arles - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch with a View at Restaurant Les Terrasses at the Pont du Gard - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Avignon - Town of the Popes: Guided Tour of the Palace of the Popes and of Pont Saint-Bénézet - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineToursLight
Light Dinner at Restaurant Le Carré du Palais near the Palais des Papes in Avignon - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine du Pègau in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Owner/ Winemaker Laurence Féraud and Winemaker Andreas Lenzenwöger (from Austria) - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard
Tour, Cellar Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Vignobles Alain Jaume,
Domaine Grand Veneur in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Hélène Jaume and Chef Axel Thomas - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Berthet-Rayne in Courthézon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Owner/ Winemaker Laure Berthet-Rayne (Laure Capeau) - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Light Dinner in the old part of Avignon near "Les Halles", the Central Food Market - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Bottleing and Tasting at Château de Ségriès in Lirac, with Owner/ Winemaker Henri de Lanzac - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting
Château de Beaucastel Wines at Boutique Famille Perrin in the Village
of Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch at La Mule du Pape in the Center of Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar
Tour, Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Château Gigognan in Sorgues,
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Head Winemaker Jenna Le Lay - Rhône Valley
2024 by ombiasy WineTours
Michelin-star
level Wine-pairing Dinner at Hôtellerie du Château des Fines Roches in
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Chef Hugo Loridan-Fombonnet - Rhône Valley 2024 by ombiasy WineTours
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