Thank you for a Fantastic 2023
Dear friends of the Château,
Happy New Year from the heart of Burgundy. As we reminisce about our adventures in 2023 and look forward to the promises of 2024, we are filled with appreciation for your unwavering support. Every year, we labor to create a vintage better than the last through tradition, innovation, and deep commitment, but the greatest joy we experience is sharing what we’ve learned with you.
Our mission to transform the wine industry for a sustainable future continued in 2023. With our first Demeter-certified vintage, we are proud to be part of the less than 1% of the world’s winemakers dedicated to biodynamics. We believe this is the best way to make outstanding wines and be responsible stewards of our people and lands.
In September, the Clos Marey-Monge became a stage for a viticultural epic. Armed with laughter and love for what they do, our remarkable team spent more than 3,900 hours hand-harvesting 167 tons of grapes. The 2023 harvest was bountiful by all measures.
2023 was a year for firsts: our first biodynamic-certified vintage and the first harvest to exceed our expectations since transitioning to biodynamic farming seven years ago; the creation of our own cloned varietals with our first-ever massal selection; and the introduction of ancient amphora vessels to age a part of our Pinot Noir independent of any of the influences of oak or stainless steel which brings a whole new dimension to our winemaking.
But of course, we can’t forget about our annual traditions. In November, we welcomed back to the Clos our woolly eco-army. 14 sheep joined the cause to munch on the winter vegetation and provide free composting to improve the life of our soils. We have just completed the nominations for our annual Simone Awards (stay tuned for the announcement in early 2024). Finally, we are pleased to boast again this year that our employees dedicated 665 hours to wonderful social causes, including wine-tasting activities at retirement houses, volunteering to serve meals at Restos du Cœur, and participating in charity runs through Charity Miles.
All of this wonderful energy has not gone unnoticed by the harshest critics. Our wines continue to turn heads and win hearts, garnering eight Gold and six Silver medals this year. Jamie Goode, British wine journalist and contributor to Harpers, The World of Fine Wine and Decanter, gave our 2021 Clos Marey-Monge Monopole a standing ovation. Goode commented, “It has beautiful aromatics, lovely savory details, and fabulous tension, reminding me of a fine Nebbiolo or Barolo. If I’m sounding quite enthusiastic about this wine, it’s because I am! It is top-notch. I am so impressed with this wine. It is easily Grand Cru level.”
During the course of the year, our Clos Marey-Monge cuvées found their way to every part of the globe with new distribution partners Broadbent Selections (United States), Cavavin (France), Isetan (Japan) and Majestic Wines (United Kingdom). Whether you’re sipping our wines in a cozy Paris bistro, a bustling Bangkok two-Michelin star restaurant, or with friends around your dinner table, know that you are part of a much larger, joyful journey to create a better future and enjoy better wine.
We can’t wait to share all that 2024 will bring to our mission together. While we can’t tell you everything yet, we have some big surprises for you in the new year.
With much gratitude, we say cheers to us, cheers to you, and cheers to a brighter future.
Michael Baum
CEO
Château de Pommard
