Domaine Pierre Vessigaud

Pouilly, Burgundy, France

Domaine Pierre Vessigaud, located in the hamlet of Pouilly in the heart of the Pouilly-Fuisse appellation, was founded in 1839 and has been in the same family ever since. Pierre Vessigaud, the 5th generation to manage the estate, took over in 1988 and has been working organically in the vineyards ever since.  He submitted for recognition by Ecocert (AB) in 2010.

The estate consists of around 8 hectares in total: 3 hectares in Mâcon and 5 ha in Pouilly-Fuissé. All the vines are manually plowed. The vines average 35 years and the vineyards have a south/south-east exposure and soil consisting of chalk, clay and morainic shells and stones. The vineyards are between 200-250 meters high with a high plantationdensity of 8,500 plants/ha.

Pierre uses only copper sulphate in order to protect the vines. The grapes are harvested manually in small boxes and are pressed without destemming. All fermentations are spontaneous, using only wild yeasts. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels aging from one to ten years old.

Pierre’s goal is to produce precise wines with freshness, crispness and minerality. He wants them to be rich yet drinkable with a recognizable balance. In order to get this year after year, Pierre focuses on organics and low production in the vineyard followed by fermentation and extended aging in good quality barrels. 

"This 11-hectare domaine in the village of Pouilly is a source of fine wines that deserve to be better known. Fifth-generation vigneron Pierre Vegissaud has long plowed his soils and eschewed chemical products, attaining organic certification in 2010. Yields are limited to 40 hectoliters per hectare, a rarity for the region and which likely accounts for the concentration of these wines. Manual harvesting is followed by fermentation in used barrels, with the wines unhurriedly completing their élevage on the lees in stainless steel. Succulent but serious, any bottle bearing Vessigaud's label is well worth seeking out." - William Kelley, robertparker.com

For more information, please visit: http://www.vins-pierrevessigaud.fr

Our Selections

Macon-Fuisse Le Haut de Fuisse 2022

The 2022 Macon Macon Fuisse ‘Le Haut de Fuisse’ features a bright straw color with golden tints. The nose is ripe, showing generous aromas of fleshy pit fruits such as apricots and mangoes, along with hints of roasted nuts and a bit of butter. The palate is full and concentrated, with a nice mineral backbone and refreshing acidity on the finish.

Details: 100% Chardonnay from a 4 acre plot of 30 year old vines planted to limestone and marl soils. The vineyard is in organic conversion and only copper and sulphur are used to treat the vines.Grapes are hand picked and allowed to naturally ferment with only indigenous yeats. The wine spends  nine months in 45hl neutral wooden vats before being bottled. 13.5% alcohol

Pouilly-Fuisse Vers Pouilly 2019

“Vers Pouilly” has a refined and complex bouquet with nuanced scents of passion fruit, citrus peel and limestone. The palate is well-balanced with a fleshy ripe opening of clementine, citrus lemon and lime, struck through with a silver thread of acidity leading to an elegant finish that does not shortchange on either flavor or length. This is a very impressive wine from Vessigaud.

Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Location of parcels: parcel straddling the town of Pouilly Fuisse and in the heart of the appellation, recognized as one of the best climates
Vineyard: 0.5 Ha
Planting density: 8000 vines/ha
Average age of vines: 70 years
Production: 2300 bottles
Soil: clay and limestone, marl
Exposure: South, Southwest
Winegrowing: only low doses of copper and sulfur used, regular plowing vines.
Winemaking: handpicking, pressing of whole grapes (no crushing). Maturing on fine lees for 12 months in barrels. In conversion to organic farming since 2010.
Ideal serving temperature: 12-13 ° C
Food pairing: Bresse poultry, fish, foie gras or as an aperitif
Ageing potential: 8 to 20 years

Review of the 2018 Vintage: "The 2018 Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Pouilly offers up aromas of waxy citrus rind, pear and pastry cream, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive palate that stands out as one of the most concentrated and structured wines in the range. 91 points" - The Wine Advocate # 249 - 30th June 2020

Pouilly-Fuisse Vielles Vignes 2021

Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Location of plots: “Les Tâches”, “Les Ménétrières”, “Les Combettes”, “Vigne Blanche”, “Les Reysses”, “Les Châtaigniers”, “Les Champs”
Vineyard: 7 Ha
Density of plantation: 8.500 feet/ha
Soil: chalky clay soil with marl and stones
Altitude: 200 to 250m
Exposure: East and South East
Average age of the vines: 60 year old

Winegrowing: plowing the soil, short pruning in Guyot simple with « pliage en Arcure », and green harvest. Only use of sulfur and copper for treatment. Manual harvest in cases, long and direct crushing, fermentation of 100% in oak barrels. The Estate is working as organic since 1998. Pierre started the conversion officially in 2010.

Winemaking: Directly pressed after harvest, whole bunch of grapes, wild yeast
Fermentation: in barrels
Aging: 18 months in barrels

Review of 2019 Vintage: From some 20 small parcels around the village of Fuissé, the 2019 Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes exhibits aromas of crisp orchard fruit, mint and almond paste. Medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, it's muscular and textural, with chalky structuring dry extract and lively acids to temper its exuberant fruit. 91 Points” - The Wine Advocate - August 5, 2021

Pouilly-Fuisse Vers Agniers 2019

From a 0.6 ha lieu-dit, the Pouilly Fuisse Vers Agniers has a well-defined, exotic nose with ripe mango, apricot and citrus aromas that have an alluring purity. The palate is well balanced with ripe clementine, white peach and apricot notes, matched by a keen thread of acidity and fine precision on the finish. Directly pressed after harvest, native yeast fermentation at cool temperature. Fermentation and aging for 12 months in barrels and 6 months in tank

Location of parcels: plot located mid hillside in the municipality of Fuissé.
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Area: 0.6 hectares
Planting density: 8500 plants / hectare
Age of vines: 20 years
Production: 3000 bottles
Soil: clay-limestone, stony
Exhibition: East-facing
Viticulture Techniques low doses of copper and sulfur, regular plowing of vines.
Winemaking: manual harvesting, pressing of whole grapes. Maturing on fine lees for 12 months in oak barrels

Review of the 2018 Vintage: "The 2018 Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Agnières offers up pretty aromas of pear, honeycomb and apples, followed by a medium to full-bodied, elegantly fleshy palate. Pure, precise and delicately honeyed, it's already showing well. 90 Points" - The Wine Advocate # 249 - 30th June 2020