Friday, September 5th saw a full day excursion dedicated to visiting the vineyards and winery of the large sparkling and still wine producer Chant d’Éole and its Michelin 1-star restaurant "L’Impératif by Benoît Neusy" at Quévy near the French border.

Participants learnt about sparkling wine making with the opportunity to taste some of their products. The experience continued with an exceptional luncheon at the restaurant.

The story of Chant d’Éole begins in 2010 with the meeting of two visionary families: a renowned Champagne family, guardians of ancestral know-how in crafting sparkling wines, and the Belgian Ewbank de Wespin family, long-established agricultural stewards of the land. Together, they embraced a daring, almost utopian ambition - to create a world-class vineyard in the rolling lands of Wallonia.

In 2011, the first vines were planted. Since then, the Domaine has flourished under the stewardship of Hubert Ewbank, CEO, proprietor, and co-founder, alongside his uncle Louis and cousin Inès. Today, with 54 hectares and more than 490,000 vines, Chant d’Éole proudly stands as the largest vineyard in Belgium.

The terroir itself is exceptional: south-facing, chalk-rich soils, lying on the same geological vein as the grands crus of Champagne, providing the perfect conditions for the production of “méthode traditionnelle” sparkling wines of rare elegance and finesse. This unique combination of heritage, terroir and vision has earned Chant d’Éole numerous international awards, firmly establishing it as a benchmark for fine sparkling wines in Europe.

Following the private visit and tasting, the group was honoured to continue the experience with an exceptional Michelin-starred lunch courtesy of Chef Benoît Neusy. Celebrated for his artistry, precision and deep respect for seasonal produce, he crafted a menu that resonated with the refined character of Chant d’Éole’s wines - a perfect dialogue between Belgium’s finest vineyard and Belgian haute cuisine.

This was more than an event: it was a celebration of vision, craftsmanship, and conviviality, bringing together the very best of wine, gastronomy, and fellowship.

Prepared by a Chaîne News Online Staff Writer. E&OE