Nicolas Potel
Summary
Nicolas Potel operates Domaine de Bellene and Maison Roche de Bellene from Beaune, managing 22 hectares of predominantly old-vine vineyards across the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, focusing on site-specific expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. His winemaking combines traditional methods with thoughtful modern practices, including sustainable viticulture, indigenous yeast fermentations, and carefully calibrated oak aging that preserves the authentic character of each terroir.
Heritage & Leadership
Nicolas Potel's journey in Burgundy wine began with deep family roots in the region. Born in 1969, he is the son of Gérard Potel, who managed the respected Domaine de la Pousse d'Or in Volnay from 1964 until his death in 1997. Following his father's passing, Nicolas worked briefly at the family domaine before establishing his own négociant business, Maison Nicolas Potel, in 1998 in Nuits-Saint-Georges.
In 2007, Nicolas Potel sold his négociant business to the Cottin family of Labouré-Roi. Following this transition, he founded two new ventures in 2008: Maison Roche de Bellene, a négociant operation, and Domaine de Bellene, focused on estate-grown wines. Both businesses are headquartered in Beaune, where Potel continues to serve as proprietor and winemaker, maintaining direct control over production decisions and business operations.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine de Bellene encompasses approximately 22 hectares of vineyards spread across multiple appellations in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. The estate's holdings include parcels in Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Nuits-Saint-Georges, and Vosne-Romanée. Many of the domaine's vineyards feature old vines, with some parcels exceeding 60 years of age.
Through his négociant business, Maison Roche de Bellene, Potel works with growers throughout Burgundy to source fruit from additional appellations, including grand cru sites such as Chambertin, Clos de Vougeot, and Corton-Charlemagne. The portfolio spans both red and white wines, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay serving as the primary varieties. Potel's production includes village-level wines, premier crus, and grand crus, offering a comprehensive representation of Burgundy's terroirs.
Philosophy & Practice
Nicolas Potel's winemaking philosophy centers on expressing terroir authenticity while respecting traditional Burgundian methods. In the vineyards, he emphasizes sustainable viticulture with minimal intervention. At Domaine de Bellene, vineyard work includes plowing rather than herbicide use, and treatments are limited to essential applications.
In the cellar, Potel employs traditional techniques including natural fermentations with native yeasts. For red wines, he typically uses partial whole-cluster fermentation depending on the vintage and vineyard, with gentle extraction methods to preserve fruit purity. Aging takes place in French oak barrels, with new oak percentages carefully calibrated according to the wine's classification level—typically 25-30% for village wines, 30-50% for premier crus, and up to 70% for grand crus.
For his négociant line, Potel maintains strict quality control by working closely with growers and often managing the harvest of contracted vineyards. Many wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve their natural character and aging potential. Through both his domaine and négociant operations, Potel's work reflects a commitment to transparent winemaking that showcases Burgundy's diverse terroirs.