Pousse d'Or, Domaine de La
Summary
Domaine de La Pousse d'Or is a family-owned Burgundian estate managing 18 hectares across prestigious appellations in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, focusing primarily on terroir-expressive Pinot Noir from limestone and clay soils with vines averaging 35-50 years. Their winemaking balances tradition with careful modernization through gravity-flow systems, sustainable farming practices, selective harvesting, and French oak aging while maintaining low yields and gentle extraction to emphasize site-specific expression.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine de La Pousse d'Or traces its origins to 1964 when the estate was established following the division of a larger property in Volnay. The domaine's modern era began in 1997 when Patrick Landanger, an industrialist with a passion for wine, acquired the estate from the heirs of Gérard Potel. Under Potel's direction from 1964 to 1997, the domaine had built a solid foundation and reputation for quality Burgundy wines, particularly from its Volnay holdings.
Landanger's acquisition marked a significant turning point, as he invested substantially in both the vineyards and winery facilities. He expanded the domaine's holdings through strategic acquisitions, including parcels in Corton, Chambolle-Musigny, and Puligny-Montrachet. The domaine is now managed by Landanger with his son Benoît increasingly involved in operations, ensuring continuity in leadership and vision.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine de La Pousse d'Or manages approximately 18 hectares of vineyards spread across several prestigious Burgundy appellations. The estate's historical core remains in Volnay, where it holds parcels in the Premier Cru vineyards of Clos d'Audignac, Clos des 60 Ouvrées, and Caillerets. In Pommard, the domaine cultivates vines in the Premier Cru sites of Les Jarollières and Les Charmots.
The domaine's portfolio expanded significantly under Landanger's ownership to include Grand Cru parcels in Corton-Clos du Roi and Corton-Bressandes, as well as Premier Cru sites in Chambolle-Musigny (Les Feusselottes, Les Groseilles) and Morey-Saint-Denis (Clos de la Roche Grand Cru). The estate also produces white wines from its holdings in Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Le Cailleret.
The vineyards feature predominantly limestone and clay soils typical of the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, with variations in composition contributing to the distinct character of each wine. The vines average 35-50 years in age, with some older parcels exceeding 60 years, particularly in the Volnay vineyards.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine de La Pousse d'Or employs a combination of traditional and modern winemaking techniques. In the vineyards, the team practices low-yield viticulture with careful canopy management and selective harvesting to ensure optimal fruit quality. Grapes are sorted meticulously, first in the vineyard and again at the winery.
The domaine utilizes temperature-controlled fermentation in wooden and stainless steel vats, with varying percentages of whole cluster inclusion depending on the vintage and vineyard. Extraction methods are gentle, focusing on preserving the delicate aromatics and structure of Pinot Noir. The wines age in French oak barrels for 12-18 months, with new oak percentages typically ranging from 30-50% depending on the appellation and vintage characteristics.
Under Landanger's direction, the winery underwent significant modernization, including the installation of gravity-flow systems to minimize harsh handling of the grapes and wine. The domaine has also implemented sustainable farming practices across its vineyards, reducing chemical interventions and focusing on soil health. The winemaking philosophy centers on expressing the distinct terroir of each vineyard site while maintaining consistency in quality across the portfolio.