Domaine Chalmeau

Region // **CHITRY, CHABLIS**
Size // **18 ha**
Viticulture // **ORGANIC (CURRENTLY NOT CERTIFIED)**
Varieties // Red: **PINOT NOIR //** White: **ALIGOTÉ, CHARDONNAY, PINOT GRIS, SAUVIGNON BLANC, SACY**
Winemakers // **FRANCK & SÉBASTIEN CHALMEAU**
Established // **1950**

Like many estates in Burgundy, Domaine Chalmeau is, above all, a family story. Three generations have followed one another, united by a shared vision: working with deep respect for the land while remaining firmly forward-looking. A family deeply rooted in their village—but from the very beginning, strikingly ahead of their time.
  

In 1950, Edmond Chalmeau, just 14 years old and fresh out of school, joined his parents Aimé and Marie-Rose on the family estate. In the 1960s, when the vineyard stretched across only four hectares, the family made a bold move: they began bottling their own wine, at a time when selling in bulk was still the norm in the region. This pioneering decision came decades before the official recognition of the Bourgogne Chitry appellation, which was only granted in 1993.

In 1964, Thérèse, a native of Beaune, married Edmond and joined him at the estate. Together, they gradually expanded the vineyard, replacing fields of cereals and cherry orchards. In 1972, their first Chablis vintage entered the cellar, marking a key milestone. By 1978, the final harvests of barley and rapeseed had taken place, and by the 1990s, only a small orchard remained—a quiet nod to the estate’s agricultural past.

Les Trameurs: A Truly Distinctive Site

A third of the estate lies on an exceptional lieu-dit: Les Trameurs. This warm, stony slope, alive with sun-loving lizards, benefits from a south-west exposure, just like the grand crus of Chablis. The vines here are old, deeply rooted, and the soil is strewn with limestone pebbles and fossilised oysters. It’s a microclimate unto itself surrounded by the forests — beautiful and unique.

Chitry’s Time to Shine

Tucked away just 20 minutes from Chablis, the village of Chitry is capturing attention for all the right reasons. The wines from this humble appellation are crystalline and compelling - pure expressions of limestone-rich soil.
Both the Chardonnay whites and Pinot Noir reds are gaining traction among Burgundy lovers who seek freshness, tension, and honest expression in the glass.

Historically, Chitry was home to humble local varieties such as Sacy and Aligoté, still remembered fondly in the village. Today, the Chalmeau brothers still farm these grape varieties along with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc —no chemical herbicides, and only natural fertilisers; the brothers are looking to get the organic certification in the near future. They cultivate 18 hectares of vines across Chitry, Chablis, Saint-Bris, and Irancy.

The vineyard work is meticulous, almost artisanal. Mid-slope plots, long pruning, thoughtful de-budding—every decision is made to slow ripening, preserve freshness, and allow the terroir to speak.
Long élevage (18 to 22 months, excluding rosés) brings depth and elegance to the wines. Intervention in the cellar is minimal, with only a light touch of sulphur (30 mg/l): “not too much, not too little,” as Sébastien puts it—“somewhere between De Moor and Pommier.” The goal is simple: to let the wine speak for itself, never forced, always true.

Chitry: A Village Apart in Burgundy

Chitry is more than just an appellation—it’s a feeling. A village of cherry trees, white stones, and lived histories. A place where you feel grounded and alive. And in every bottle from the Chalmeau brothers, that spirit shines through: bright, honest, generous wines, crafted with heart and root

Les vins de Chalmeau