Clos Bateau

In Lantignié, on the granite heights of Beaujolais, vineyards coexist with fruit trees, hedges, meadows, and animals that naturally contribute to the estate's balance. Here, nothing seems separate. The seasons dictate the rhythm, biodiversity finds its place again, and old vines breathe in a landscape that Sylvie De Visser and Thierry Klok shape with almost peasant-like patience.

However, their journey is far from conventional. After many years spent in the restaurant industry in Amsterdam, in 2019 they decided to change their lives and settle in this forgotten Beaujolais enclosure. More than a career change, it's a return to basics. Even before thinking about vintages, they planted trees, restored the soil, and welcomed sheep and pigs to the plots. Their ambition is simple: to recreate an ecosystem capable of producing great grapes.

The five hectares of the estate lie on the pink granite of Lantignié, with several plots of very old Gamay vines. The vines are cultivated organically, enriched by the principles of agroecology and biodynamics. Fermentations begin thanks to the yeasts naturally present on the grapes, aging takes its time, and the wines are bottled without fining, filtration, or added sulfur. Every decision seeks to preserve the energy of the fruit and the vintage's signature rather than smooth out the edges.

Clos Bateau wines possess that quality we seek so much: they seem to tell the story of their landscape. The granites bring a vibrant freshness, the old vines give depth, while the very precise aging allows the mouthfeel to take center stage. Nothing is ostentatious. Everything is about balance, finesse, and that impression of naturalness that makes bottles we eagerly open... and then always regret seeing empty too quickly.