Chant d'Éole: A bold bet for Belgian sparkling wines
Chant d'Eole stands out as a remarkable story of entrepreneurship and innovation in the still emerging Belgian wine landscape. Founded in 2011, the estate was born out of a meeting between a Champagne winemaker and a local farmer who shared a common vision: to exploit a unique vein of chalk with characteristics similar to those of the Champagne terroir.
A family project to conquer the sparkling wine market
Initially planted on 11 hectares of land formerly given over to traditional beet and potato crops, the vineyard now extends over 54 hectares. Nearly 30 hectares are currently in production, with a clear ambition: to become a key player in the sparkling wine market.
The production strategy is a bold one. From 150,000 bottles in 2022, Chant d'Eole has risen to 300,000 bottles in 2023, with the aim of maintaining this growth. Today, the estate is the largest Belgian vineyard in terms of planted area, representing a significant proportion of the less than 1,000 hectares currently cultivated in Belgium (all types of wine combined).
An ambitious, controlled range
The vineyards are mainly planted with Chardonnay, which accounts for 97% of the total. The remaining 3% of Pinot Noir is used to produce rosés. This specialisation is accompanied by an ambitious vision for the range. The estate plans to develop a total of ten cuvées, seven of which will be available on a permanent basis. The other three will be produced on a temporary basis, depending on the opportunities offered by each harvest. This approach will enable the creation of exceptional cuvées, such as the Blanc de Noir planned for this year, whose future production will depend on the ripeness of the grapes in the next harvest.
Innovation at the heart of development
The choice of location was based on the discovery of a remarkable vein of chalk. This terroir gives the wine a unique finesse and saline character, giving it a distinctive personality. What's more, the estate's bold marketing strategy creates a model of controlled rarity. With a waiting list extending to October 2027 and a strict limit of 12 bottles per customer, Chant d'Eole stimulates demand and preserves its exclusivity. Although currently concentrating on sparkling wines, the estate is already exploring the production of still wines, demonstrating a capacity for constant adaptation and innovation.
A complete tourism ecosystem
Wine tourism is a strategic pillar of Chant d'Eole's development. The estate welcomes 100,000 visitors a year, who can enjoy two restaurants, including one that was awarded a Michelin star in February 2024. Four event spaces, the largest of which can accommodate up to 600 people, complete the tourist offer. The estate has also diversified its activities with the launch of Maison Eole, a range of cosmetics made from winegrowing by-products, distributed in over 140 sales outlets in Belgium.
Influence and recognition
The estate has won countless awards, confirming its quality and innovation. After being named Best Sparkling Wine in the World in 2019, Chant d'Eole continued its success by winning the gold medal at the Catad'Or World Wine Awards and the title of Best Wine in Belgium in 2023 and 2024.
Outlook and ambitions
With 60 employees, around twenty of whom work directly in the vineyards and in production, Chant d'Eole has its sights set on international markets. Norway and Sweden, for example, are possible countries for the development of the target, and a recent gold medal in Chile could open up new prospects.
One major challenge remains: recruitment. Growth is strategically controlled, with a focus on quality and staff training rather than rapid expansion. This carefully thought-out approach is a perfect illustration of the estate's philosophy: to combine family tradition, technological innovation and strategic vision to redefine the contours of Belgian winegrowing.
