Upon graduation from the University of California, Davis, he took a position at Newton Vineyard in Napa Valley.
He left Newton for a position as winemaker at Château Troplong-Mondot, a Premier Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion, France.
He spent five years there and in the process earned a degree in Viticulture from the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, France.
Pott returned to the United States after six years, becoming head winemaker in charge of international brands for Beringer Wine Estates of the Napa Valley.
In 2004, he accepted a position as winemaker and general manager at Quintessa Estate in the Napa Valley.