Chantereves
Summary
Chanterèves is a small-scale Burgundy négociant founded in 2010 by the cross-cultural team of Guillaume Bott and Tomoko Kuriyama, producing about 2,000 cases annually of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from carefully selected older vineyards across the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. Their distinctive approach combines traditional Burgundian techniques with progressive methods—including earlier harvests, native fermentations, and minimal intervention—while their recent acquisition of Volnay vineyard land marks their evolution from pure négociant to emerging domaine.
Heritage & Leadership
Chantereves was established in 2010 as a micro-négociant operation in Savigny-lès-Beaune, Burgundy, by the husband-and-wife team of Guillaume Bott and Tomoko Kuriyama. Their partnership represents an unusual convergence of backgrounds in Burgundy's traditional wine landscape. Tomoko, born in Japan, brought experience from Germany's Rheingau region where she worked as technical director at Friedrich Altenkirch estate. Guillaume, a Burgundian native, developed his expertise through positions at respected domaines including Simon Bize in Savigny-lès-Beaune and Etienne Sauzet in Puligny-Montrachet.
The name "Chantereves" translates to "dream singer" or "singing dreams," reflecting the founders' aspirations in winemaking. Starting with just three barrels in their inaugural vintage, the operation has grown deliberately but remains intentionally small-scale. In 2019, they acquired their first vineyard plot in Volnay, marking a significant evolution from their purely négociant beginnings. The couple maintains complete control over all aspects of production, from vineyard management decisions with their growers to final bottling.
Vineyards & Wines
Chantereves operates primarily as a micro-négociant, sourcing grapes from carefully selected growers across Burgundy's Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. Their first owned vineyard acquisition came in 2019 with a small parcel in Volnay. The production remains limited, with annual output typically around 2,000 cases distributed across approximately fifteen different cuvées.
Their portfolio spans regional, village, and premier cru designations, including wines from Bourgogne, Saint-Romain, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, and Nuits-Saint-Georges. For their purchased fruit, Tomoko and Guillaume work exclusively with growers who share their viticultural philosophy, often directing specific vineyard practices despite not owning the land. They focus on older vine parcels, typically 40+ years, which naturally yield lower quantities of more concentrated fruit.
The red wines feature Pinot Noir exclusively, while whites primarily showcase Chardonnay, with occasional bottlings of Aligoté. Their production is split approximately evenly between red and white wines, reflecting their balanced expertise with both varieties.
Philosophy & Practice
Chantereves embodies a synthesis of traditional Burgundian techniques and progressive winemaking approaches. The founders prioritize meticulous grape selection, often harvesting slightly earlier than neighboring producers to maintain freshness and moderate alcohol levels. For white wines, they employ whole-cluster pressing followed by natural settling of the juice before fermentation. Red wine production typically includes partial whole-cluster fermentation, with percentages varying by vineyard and vintage conditions.
In the cellar, fermentations proceed with native yeasts in a combination of used French oak barrels and, for some whites, stainless steel tanks. New oak usage remains conservative, generally not exceeding 25% for premier crus. The wines age on their lees without racking for 11-18 months depending on the cuvée. Sulfur additions are minimal and primarily made just before bottling, which occurs without fining and with only light filtration when necessary.
Their approach balances respect for terroir expression with practical considerations. While they work closely with growers who practice sustainable viticulture, they focus on the qualitative results rather than specific certifications. The limited scale of their operation allows for intensive attention to detail throughout the winemaking process, from harvest timing decisions to final blending sessions where Tomoko and Guillaume's complementary palates guide their bottling choices.