Sylvie & Thierry Klok-de Visser started their adventure in 2019 when they moved to their domaine in Lantignié, Beaujolais. It’s a small 5.5ha, nature-friendly domaine where they work all year round with just the two of them. With almost all the vineyards and land (totalling 8ha) around their domaine, they are creating a thriving ecosystem. As soon as they arrived, they immediately planted over 100 fruit and nut trees in the vineyards to increase biodiversity. They want to work with nature in harmony, not against it.

From their 8ha of land (where they live onsite), they have 5.5ha of vineyards - Gamay with an average age of 53 years and Chardonnay, which was planted in 2018. The 5.5ha includes 3.5ha of productive vineyards and 2ha of abandoned and wild vineyards. They felt they should give these wild vineyards a go - to save the vines, as it didn't feel right to get rid of them. This means a lot of effort and low yields to begin with, but also some really special grapes. They began organic conversion immediately, and will gain certification in a couple of years.

In the vineyard they work with a homeopathic touch, where they collect plants and herbs around the estate to make plant-based tea infusions that help the vines to become stronger and healthier. On a meadow at the end of their vineyards they have sheep who assist by eating the grass and weeds in the vineyard during wintertime, and give the soil food in return. They truly respect nature, from vineyard to bottle. They work with the cycles of the moon, as they keep in mind maceration times, when to press, when to bottle etc. They only work with indigenous yeasts (spontaneous fermentation), and they don’t fine, filter or use sulphites. They operate with the least amount of intervention as possible, creating true living wines!

The background from the name ‘Clos Bateau’ is because their domaine is surrounded by a big Clos (stone wall) and Thierry’s grandfather’s surname (who sadly passed away) is Boot (Boot in Dutch, Boat in English or Bateau in French). Sylvie’s grandfather (who also passed away when she was really young) and grandmother both worked on a boat in Amsterdam, so when she was small she created the name grandmother and grandfather Boot. In this way they want to honour both of their families, and give them a place in their new life.