History
Domaine Ponsot was founded in 1872 by William Ponsot, a member of the Dijon bourgeoisie and a landowner in Saint Romain. William acquired the Clos des Monts Luisants and a plot of Clos de la Roche in Morey Saint Denis. The domaine faced significant challenges, including the phylloxera crisis, which led to the replanting of vines with the original Aligoté grape variety in 1911. Hippolyte Ponsot, William's godson, succeeded him in 1920 and extended the estate with another plot of Clos de la Roche. Hippolyte began bottling wines in 1921, a pioneering move at the time, and was instrumental in defending the Appellations Contrôlées.
Jean-Marie Ponsot, who took over in the 1950s, emphasized the importance of working the soil naturally and respecting nature. The domaine continued to evolve, with Laurent Ponsot, Jean-Marie's son, taking over winemaking duties in 1983. Laurent's tenure was marked by a focus on minimal intervention and high-quality winemaking practices. The domaine has been known for its unique white wine, the Morey-Saint-Denis Clos des Monts Luisants, made entirely from Aligoté. Domaine Ponsot has also been at the forefront of counterfeiting measures, including fingerprinting bottles with unique bubble codes, following a notorious scandal involving Rudy Kurniawan in 2008.
Terroir
Domaine Ponsot is situated in the prestigious Côte de Nuits region of Burgundy, France. The terroir of Domaine Ponsot is characterized by its rich, varied soil layers and unique climatic conditions. The vineyards, particularly the flagship Clos de la Roche, are known for their complex mineral profiles, which contribute to the wines' depth and longevity. The domain's commitment to minimal intervention in viticulture and winemaking allows the terroir to express itself fully, resulting in wines that are both elegant and structured.
The specific terroir of each vineyard within Domaine Ponsot contributes to the distinct characteristics of its wines. For example, the Clos des Monts Luisants, which is planted with Aligoté, offers a unique freshness and tension due to its atypical position at the top of the hillside, bordered by the forest. Similarly, the Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny Premier Crus exhibit their own terroir-driven characteristics, such as rich textures and mineral notes, reflecting the diverse soil compositions and microclimates of these regions.
Overall, the terroir of Domaine Ponsot is a blend of traditional Burgundian terroir and the domain's sustainable viticultural practices, resulting in wines that are both terroir-driven and of exceptional quality.
