Our Story
From generation to generation
In 1964 Françoise and Gérard POTEL arrived in Burgundy in the village of Volnay. At the time, Gérard was an agronomist and a demanding winemaker, and he succeed to convey his passion for the wine to his family. The POTEL’s started then producing high-quality Burgundy wines. They decided to focus their production on the pinot noir grape variety and to vinify only Premier Crus.
In the beginning, the family estate stretched from the villages Volnay and Pommard to Santenay. This estate quickly developed and became a renowned winery in Burgundy.
In the beginning, the family estate stretched from the villages Volnay and Pommard to Santenay. This estate quickly developed and became a renowned winery in Burgundy.
Nicolas's experiences abroad
Before taking over the family run business, Nicolas POTEL benefited from enriching experiences all over the world. He had the opportunity to learn from the most prestigious winemakers and to get a new approach of the vineyard work.
Nicolas’s travel started in Australia, at the Margaret River winery, with Moss WOOD – a pioneer in the high quality wines. Then, he came back to France, in order to work with Pierre MATROT at the Matrot winery, a winemaker he admired and appreciated. After this new experience, Nicolas POTEL headed back abroad again, to California, with Tom DEHLINGER the specialist of the Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley. He finally came back to France in order to work with Christophe ROUMIER at the Georges ROUMIER winery in Chambolle-Musigny. After 2 years in France, he planned 3 consecutive trips to Australia at the Mount Mary winery, considered as the Australian Romanée-Conti. There, he worked with John MIDDLETON and then moved to Western Australia at the Leeuwin Estate, the specialist of the Chardonnay.
Once back in France, he worked as a vineyard manager and developed organic agriculture at the family estate.
Nicolas’s travel started in Australia, at the Margaret River winery, with Moss WOOD – a pioneer in the high quality wines. Then, he came back to France, in order to work with Pierre MATROT at the Matrot winery, a winemaker he admired and appreciated. After this new experience, Nicolas POTEL headed back abroad again, to California, with Tom DEHLINGER the specialist of the Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley. He finally came back to France in order to work with Christophe ROUMIER at the Georges ROUMIER winery in Chambolle-Musigny. After 2 years in France, he planned 3 consecutive trips to Australia at the Mount Mary winery, considered as the Australian Romanée-Conti. There, he worked with John MIDDLETON and then moved to Western Australia at the Leeuwin Estate, the specialist of the Chardonnay.
Once back in France, he worked as a vineyard manager and developed organic agriculture at the family estate.
Our first wine trading company
Nicolas POTEL decided to follow the same philosophy that the family estate had. He truly wanted to produce high quality wines respecting the unique terroir of Burgundy. Right after the death of his father in 1997, he created his own wine trading company in Nuits Saint Georges: la Maison Nicolas POTEL.
La Maison Nicolas POTEL bought Pinot Noir grapes in beautiful plots and from very old vines. Grapes were harvested and selected with the greatest care. They were carried to the winery in small harvesting crates and selected again on a sorting table.
This wine trading company is also pioneer in innovation and modern equipment. Grapes are vinified thanks to a vertical press and an efficient bottling line. The wine is racked depending on the lunar and the biodynamic calendars. Then the wine is aged in very old cellars in order to benefit from the best ageing conditions.
La Maison Nicolas POTEL encountered a clear success with positive feedbacks. In the early 2000’s, the company along with its brand “Nicolas POTEL” were sold to another wine trading company.
La Maison Nicolas POTEL bought Pinot Noir grapes in beautiful plots and from very old vines. Grapes were harvested and selected with the greatest care. They were carried to the winery in small harvesting crates and selected again on a sorting table.
This wine trading company is also pioneer in innovation and modern equipment. Grapes are vinified thanks to a vertical press and an efficient bottling line. The wine is racked depending on the lunar and the biodynamic calendars. Then the wine is aged in very old cellars in order to benefit from the best ageing conditions.
La Maison Nicolas POTEL encountered a clear success with positive feedbacks. In the early 2000’s, the company along with its brand “Nicolas POTEL” were sold to another wine trading company.