Wine Portfolio

Jean-Noel Fourmeaux

Winemaker, VGS Chateau Potelle

Jean-Noel Fourmeaux, 3rd generation winemaker from Bordeaux, was an official taster for the French government in 1980 when the famous Judgment of Paris proved that California wine quality had become world-class. The French A.O.C (Appellation d' Origine Controlee) sent him to California to find out what the New World winemakers were doing. As he says, I came, I stayed! Rather than being constrained by the traditions that exist in France, he chose to be creative in making wine and became part of the California winemaking experience.

Country born: France

Education: Jean-Noel's family been making wine in Bordeaux for over a century, he jokes "my mother gave me wine instead of milk"!

Years in the wine industry: 30+ years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Often philosophic, Fourmeaux is passionate about the source of his grapes. 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. Our job as winemaker is to respect and exploit the unique qualities of our "roots"... to craft wines with a sense of style and character.