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Domaine Edmond Chalmeau & Fils
Domaine Edmond Chalmeau & Fils: Two Centuries of Family Tradition and Excellence
A Heritage in Chitry
The Chalmeau family has been cultivating vines in the village of Chitry for over two centuries. The story began in the 1850s when the region became one of the largest wine-producing areas in France. However, the devastation caused by phylloxera at the end of the 19th century wiped out many vineyards, leaving local winegrowers with a difficult choice: abandon their vines or rebuild from the ground up. The Chalmeau family chose the latter, embracing a life of polyculture, balancing vines with cereals, cherries, and even livestock.
Edmond Chalmeau : The Next Generation
In 1950, at the age of 14, Edmond Chalmeau joined his parents, Aimé and Marie-Rose, in working the family’s land. Together, they made a pivotal decision in the 1960s: to move away from selling their wine in bulk and instead bottle and sell directly under their own label. This shift laid the foundation for the domaine’s reputation today.
A Partnership in Life and Wine
In 1964, Thérèse, from Beaune, joined Edmond, both in marriage and in wine. They shared not only their lives but also their winemaking expertise, bringing together different approaches that would enrich the Domaine’s techniques.
Expansion and Evolution
Over the years, the vineyard expanded and diversified. In 1972, the domaine produced its first Chablis from vines planted in the Courgis appellation, a village just 5 km from the estate. Although it seemed like a distant location at the time, this decision marked a new chapter for the Domaine. By 1978, Edmond and Thérèse had shifted their full attention to winemaking, moving away from cereal farming and focusing solely on the vines, along with a few cherry trees.
A Family Affair
The Chalmeau family’s commitment to winemaking continued with the arrival of the next generation. In 1991, Franck, Edmond and Thérèse’s eldest son, returned to the Domaine after completing his studies at the Beaune wine school. He was later joined by his younger brother Sébastien in 2003. The brothers brought new ideas and expanded on their parents’ dedication to excellence.
Diversifying and Innovating
In 2004, Domaine Edmond Chalmeau & Fils began diversifying its wine offerings, introducing cuvées that were vinified in barrels from specific parcel selections. This added complexity and refinement to the range, maintaining the tradition while embracing innovation.
Today, the Domaine spans 18 hectares (45 acres) of vineyards, combining tradition, family values, and sustainable viticulture to produce wines that reflect the richness of the Burgundy terroir.
Respect for the Environment
The Domaine is committed to organic farming, working with 40 vineyard parcels in ways that respect both the vines and the environment. With over 60% of the vines aged more than 60 years, the Domaine relies on minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the terroir to shine through in its purest form. Vinification is carried out using large wooden vats, with minimal use of new oak barrels to enhance the natural expression of the grapes.
Expertise
The Domaine’s farming methods are environmentally friendly, with the goal of producing a rich and healthy harvest. Depending on the terroir and appellation, the harvest is done either by machine or manually. Always respecting the specificities of the appellations and in alignment with the lunar calendar, the wines are aged either in barrels or tanks, with the aging duration adapted accordingly.
