Comte Armand
While there are many producers of Pommard, there is only one that owns Clos des Epeneaux. Domaine du Comte Armand has exclusive rights to cultivate those vineyards, so no other producer can bottle this wine.
For most of its history, the domaine consisted essentially of that single Clos vineyard and its associated buildings, located right in the heart of the village of Pommard. Although the vineyards at Volnay and later at Auxey-Duresses expanded the business's reach, the focus remains unwaveringly on wines that fully capture the terroir.
This winery is also known as Domaine des Epeneaux, named after the vineyard of the same name. It is small and quiet, and is more closely connected to a specific section of Pommard than to other areas.
The history
It all begins with the Clos. Nicolas Marey acquired Clos des Epeneaux in the late 18th century, or, according to some records, in the early 19th century, and the domaine derived its nickname, Domaine des Epeneaux, another name directly derived from Epeneaux, from that very source.
In 1828, the vineyard and its buildings, known as Fief de Rancy, located in the heart of Pommard, passed into the ownership of the Count Armand family. The name on the label originates from this very place.
For a very long time afterward, there were no major changes. The domaine operated as a single vineyard until 1994, when it incorporated a parcel from the adjacent Volnay. Subsequently, parcels from Auxey-Duresses were also added.
Adding two appellations over the course of about two centuries does not constitute rapid expansion. This explains why Domaine du Comte Armand is still primarily referred to as a single vineyard.
The vineyards
Domaine du Comte Armand cultivates a total of nine hectares of vineyards. More than half of this is Clos des Epeneaux itself, a 5-hectare vineyard located in the heart of Pommard, which is managed as a monopole (sole ownership).
The remainder is scattered across two villages located in the lower part of the Côte de Beaune valley. Volnay was the first plot acquired in 1994. Auxey-Duresses was acquired later and includes both Premier Cru and Village-class vineyards.
Taken together, these parcels form a compact and unusual estate. In other words, it consists of a single, vast parcel that no one else can touch, along with a small number of smaller parcels scattered across two neighboring municipalities. In this region, where growers often own only a few rows here and there, it is rare to find a single owner holding the entire 5-hectare Clos estate.
Pinot Noir, with Aligoté on the side
The red wines from Pommard, Volnay, and Auxey-Duresses are made from Pinot Noir, in accordance with the appellation regulations applicable to this region of Burgundy. Domaine du Comte Armand also bottles white wine under the regional designation Bourgogne using Aligoté, one of Burgundy's lesser-known white grape varieties.
- Pinot Noir: All wines produced in Pommard, Volnay, and Auxey-Duresses
- Aligoté: Bourgogne-level white wine
What the domaine bottles
Pommard Clos des Epeneaux is this domaine's best-known wine and the one it has been producing the longest. Since it is a monopole (sole ownership) wine, there is only one version produced by this domaine.
Alongside this wine are wines produced from vineyards acquired since 1994. There is the Volnay, produced from the adjacent village; the village-level Auxey-Duresses; and the Auxey-Duresses Premier Cru, produced from vineyards in better locations. The white wine in the lineup, Bourgogne Aligoté, is the simplest wine in this series.
These are the core bottlings of Domaine du Comte Armand. The goal that the domaine articulates for all its wines is the same and quite clear: to create wines that truly express the terroir.
Frequently asked questions
What does monopole mean for the Clos des Epeneaux?
It means Domaine du Comte Armand is the sole owner of the vineyard. No other producer can make or sell a Pommard Clos des Epeneaux.
Why is the estate sometimes called Domaine des Epeneaux?
Because the domaine was named after the Clos des Epeneaux, the parcel bought by Nicolas Marey around the turn of the 19th century. Both names refer to the same estate.
Where exactly is the domaine based?
In the centre of the village of Pommard, in the Côte-d'Or, on the Côte de Beaune. The buildings are historically known as the Fief de Rancy.
Does Comte Armand make white wine?
Yes, a Bourgogne Aligoté. The bulk of production, though, is red.
