Background

Domaine Chapel was founded in 2016 by Michele Smith Chapel and David Chapel. Their journey began when Michele, formerly a sommelier and wine director at the renowned Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare in Brooklyn, New York, visited wineries in Beaujolais in 2013. It was during this visit that she crossed paths with David, who had been working in the vineyards and cellar at Domaine Lapierre. When Matthieu Lapierre couldn't accommodate Michele's visit, he sent David in his place. This encounter led David to accompany Michele in New York, where they resided for the next two years. In 2015, they made the pivotal decision to return to Beaujolais and pursue their dream of establishing their own Domaine.

Today, the Chapels cultivate 4 hectares of vineyards on the picturesque slopes of Beaujolais, primarily in the Chiroubles and Fleurie crus. With a commitment to preserving the natural environment and prioritizing soil health, the Chapels meticulously tend to all their parcels by hand.

In addition to the wines of Domaine Chapel, a range of négociant wines are made under the Smith-Chapel label, sourced from organically farmed vines on the Beaujolais slopes and the nearby Mâconnais region.

Farming

Michele and David are dedicated to the long-term stewardship and preservation of land in Beaujolais. They purposefully seek out parcels that have suffered from neglect or chemical-intensive farming, striving to restore their natural vitality. Their approach reflects historic farming methods by emphasizing manual labor, co-planting fruit trees among the vines, incorporating sheep for grazing and a rotational cycle of cover crops.

Due to the steep slopes of Chiroubles and Fleurie, the soil is meticulously worked by hand using cable plows and other tools. In certain areas, Michele and David collaborate with local farmer Phillipe, who employs his horse, Quadrille, to work the slopes. Following the harvest, sheep are welcomed into the vineyards of both Chiroubles and Fleurie. Aside from providing pleasant company during the winter work, the sheep contribute to maintaining healthy soil and act as natural fertilizers for the cover crops sown between the rows.

Walking through their vineyards today reveals a vibrant tapestry of biodiversity and animal life. This harmonious coexistence with nature is encapsulated in their winemaking, which embraces and preserves the essence of this living ecosystem within each bottle.