Laurent Ponsot
Summary
Laurent Ponsot is a boutique négociant operation established in 2017 in Gilly-lès-Citeaux, Burgundy, where Laurent and his son Clément produce limited quantities of single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from prestigious Grand and Premier Cru sites across the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. His distinctive approach combines late harvesting, extended aging periods, minimal intervention techniques, and pioneering anti-counterfeiting technology—innovations that reflect his uncompromising commitment to authenticity and terroir expression that has made him an influential guardian of Burgundian integrity.
Heritage & Leadership
Laurent Ponsot represents a significant chapter in Burgundian winemaking history. Born into the winemaking family behind Domaine Ponsot, Laurent took control of his family's domaine in 1981, continuing a legacy that began in 1872 when his ancestor William Ponsot first acquired vineyard land in Morey-Saint-Denis. For two decades, Laurent directed the family domaine, establishing himself as a meticulous winemaker with unwavering standards.
In 2017, Laurent made the decisive move to leave the family business to establish his own independent venture, "Laurent Ponsot," based in Gilly-lès-Citeaux. This transition marked a new era for the winemaker, allowing him to pursue his personal vision with complete autonomy. His son, Clément Ponsot, joined the new enterprise, ensuring continuity of knowledge and approach. The operation began producing wine from the 2017 vintage, working with carefully selected vineyard sources across Burgundy's most distinguished appellations.
Laurent Ponsot has also gained recognition for his role in uncovering wine fraud, most notably in 2008 when he helped expose counterfeit bottles of Domaine Ponsot wines that had been consigned for auction. This commitment to authenticity has become a defining aspect of his professional identity.
Vineyards & Wines
Laurent Ponsot's current operation functions primarily as a négociant business, working with selected growers rather than owning extensive vineyard holdings. This model allows him to produce wines from multiple prestigious appellations across Burgundy. His portfolio spans both the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, including Grand Cru sites such as Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, and Corton-Charlemagne, alongside Premier Cru vineyards in villages including Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, and Meursault.
For each vineyard source, Laurent maintains strict quality standards, often working with the same growers year after year to ensure consistency and quality. While not owning the vineyards directly, he maintains close oversight of viticulture practices, particularly regarding harvest timing—a critical element of his winemaking philosophy.
The production remains deliberately limited, focusing on quality over volume. Each wine in the portfolio reflects its specific terroir, with Pinot Noir dominating the red wine production and Chardonnay comprising the white wines. The range includes both single-vineyard bottlings that express specific terroirs and regional wines that showcase broader Burgundian characteristics.
Philosophy & Practice
Laurent Ponsot adheres to a distinctive winemaking philosophy centered on minimal intervention. His approach begins in the vineyard with a commitment to late harvesting—often picking grapes later than neighboring producers to achieve optimal phenolic ripeness. This patience during harvest represents a cornerstone of his winemaking identity.
In the cellar, Laurent employs traditional techniques with modern precision. Fermentations proceed with indigenous yeasts, and he uses minimal sulfur dioxide throughout the winemaking process. New oak is applied judiciously, typically at levels below 30% for most cuvées, to avoid overwhelming the wine's natural character. His red wines undergo extended aging, often 30 months or more, before bottling without fining or filtration.
A notable technical innovation implemented by Laurent is his anti-counterfeiting system. Following his experience exposing wine fraud, he developed a tracking system using temperature-sensitive capsules and RFID technology that allows consumers to verify the authenticity of his bottles.
Laurent's winemaking philosophy emphasizes patience and respect for natural processes. He often states that his role is to guide rather than control wine development, allowing each bottling to express its vineyard origin with clarity and precision. This approach has resulted in wines known for their purity, longevity, and faithful representation of Burgundy's diverse terroirs.