Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvee Vieilles Vignes AOC 2019

Domaine Ponsot was founded in 1872 when William Ponsot, returning from the Franco-Prussian War, acquired a house and several vineyards in Morey-Saint-Denis. Gradually expanding, William purchased plots in Clos de la Roche and Clos des Monts-Luisants, where he planted the Aligoté grape variety in 1911. The planting of Aligoté was unusual at the time, as most white wine producers in Burgundy leaned towards the more economically viable and viable Chardonnay. William also acquired plots in the vineyards "Les Combottes" and "Les Charmes" in the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation. William produced a small amount of wine, mainly for private use and family restaurants. In 1920, the management of Domaine Ponsot passed to William's nephew and godson — diplomat Hippolyte Ponsot. With the help of his brother Henri Ponsot, also a diplomat (General Resident in Morocco, Ambassador of France in several countries), Hippolyte significantly increased the size of the vineyards in Clos de la Roche. Domaine Ponsot began bottling wine under its own name in 1934, which was rare at the time, with only a dozen estates doing so before World War II. The estate also began selling its wines outside of France — in the USA and many European countries. The first wine labels were hand-printed and signed by Hippolyte. In 1935-36, Hippolyte actively participated in the process of granting AOC status to Burgundy vineyards, where his legal education proved useful. In 1957, Hippolyte Ponsot passed the estate to his son — Jean-Marie Ponsot, who had been working at the estate since 1942 as a winemaker and agronomist. In 1961, Domaine Ponsot rented several new plots in Chambolle-Musigny, Chambertin, and Latricières-Chambertin. Over time, the estate not only increased the number of rented plots but also acquired new ones. Today, Domaine Ponsot, managed by Laurent Ponsot, produces a wide range of Burgundy wines from various terroirs. The estate's vineyards practice biodynamic cultivation without the use of pesticides or herbicides. The main grape varieties in the estate are Pinot Noir and Aligoté. Domaine Ponsot wines are widely known around the world and are highly valued at wine auctions.