"As I wrote last year, 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 Vessigaud has long plowed his soils and eschewed chemical products, attaining organic certification in 2010. 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 worth seeking out, and these charming, expressive 2018s will give immediate pleasure out of the gates."

—William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 2018 Pierre Vessigaud Pouilly-Fuissé "Vieilles Vignes"

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.

A combination of about twenty micro-vineyard plots from the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation. «Les Combettes, Rossins, Vignes des Champs, les Tâches, Travers, Vers Chânes,» etc...
From soils composed of different types of marl and limestone. We have selected our grapes from this diverse palette of "Fuisséen" terroirs. There are various orientations: North, South, East and West. This cuvée reveals balance and complexity where Chardonnay reaches its full potential.

Pairing suggestions

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"