Domaine de Bellene was started in 2005 by Nicolas Potel, a rising star in Burgundy and the son of the late, legendary Gerard Potel of the highly respected Domaine de la Pousse d’Or in Volnay. After his father’s death in 1997 Nicolas became a negociant, and started Maison Nicolas Potel. His wines earned praise from such writers as Clive Coates, but a falling out with his business partners led to Potel’s departure from the firm that still bears his name. After only one vintage as Domaine Nicolas Potel, Potel was forced to stop using his name for his new domaine. He changed the name to Domaine de Bellene and also started the negociant Maison Roche de Bellene. Nicolas makes wines biodynamically and is considered a rising star in Burgundy.