Meet the Winemaker (Episode 80): Nicolas Potel, Nicolas Potel Winery, by Debra Meiburg MW

Having learnt the wine business in Australia, Nicolas Potel is not your average French winemaker. Initially having started under his own name, since 2005, Potel has concentrated on making wines under the name, 'Domaine de Bellene', with Bellene deriving from 'Bellenos', ancient Gallic god of the sun.

Situated in Beaune in the famous wine region of Burgundy, what makes Domaine de Bellene unique is that wines are produced biodynamically. No outside products such as acid or enzymes are added to the incredible array of wines produced and work in the vineyard is done manually where possible.

Potel also runs a negociant's business, 'Maison Roche de Bellene' which deals with sourcing and maturing top quality wines. Despite his success in the wine business after several setbacks, Potel is humble in his admission that he still has a lot of learning to do in the quest to make his wines even more pure and elegant.