Chateau Potelle was born when we moved from France in 1980, to be part of the California winemaking adventure. We wanted to be creative in making wine rather than being constrained by the years of traditions that existed in France.
At the beginning, we found California wines to be too ripe and rich, very bold, and way too oaky. Soon we realized that a culinary revolution was taking place! The food that was being created by the young American chefs was more delicate and refined - the ingredients were respected and celebrated. The marriage of quality and simplicity eliminated the need for the "gravy" cover up. In food and in wine, less is more. Alas, we were on the same page!
Our vision at Chateau Potelle is to produce wines with style and character that are representative of their birth place. Like for each of us, our "roots" provide us with a unique culture, a set of mores and traditions...a style and character. After all, people from the California coast and the hills of Tennessee embody vast differences! Our job as winemaker is to respect and exploit the unique qualities of our "roots"...to craft wines with a sense of style and personality.
Chateau Potelle has built a solid reputation for its avant-garde approach and for its commitment to quality. Today, we are privileged to have the trust of an outstandingly loyal clientele. We commit that we will stay focused and continue to maintain the high standards that our clients have come to expect. And we promise to keep our same irreverent and non-pretentious attitude toward wine. BUT, after 30 years ....we needed a facelift!
