Billaud-Simon
Summary
Billaud-Simon is a historic Chablis producer managing 20 hectares across the appellation's four classifications, including parcels in four grand crus, where they craft Chardonnay-based wines from the region's distinctive Kimmeridgian limestone soils. Their winemaking emphasizes terroir transparency through temperature-controlled fermentation primarily in stainless steel, complemented by extended lees aging and minimal oak influence for select cuvées, maintaining the precise minerality and natural acidity that define traditional Chablis expression.
Heritage & Leadership
Billaud-Simon traces its origins to 1815 when the Billaud family established the domaine in Chablis, Burgundy. For nearly two centuries, the estate remained under family ownership, building a reputation for quality Chardonnay production in the heart of the Chablis appellation. A significant transition occurred in 2014 when the Faiveley family, through their company Domaine Faiveley, acquired Billaud-Simon from the Billaud family. This acquisition marked the end of family ownership and brought the domaine under the direction of Erwan Faiveley, who maintains oversight of the estate while preserving its distinct identity within the Faiveley portfolio. Under the new ownership, Olivier Bailly continues as the technical director, maintaining continuity in winemaking practices while implementing subtle refinements to enhance quality.
Vineyards & Wines
Billaud-Simon's vineyard holdings span approximately 20 hectares across the Chablis appellation, encompassing parcels in four grand cru vineyards: Les Clos, Vaudésir, Les Preuses, and Blanchot. The domaine also cultivates premier cru sites including Mont de Milieu, Fourchaume, Vaillons, and Montée de Tonnerre. These vineyards feature the region's characteristic Kimmeridgian limestone soils, composed of fossilized oyster shells and marine sediments that date back to the Jurassic period. This distinctive terroir imparts the pronounced minerality and saline qualities that define classic Chablis. The vineyards are planted exclusively to Chardonnay, with vine ages varying from 15 to over 50 years, contributing to the complexity of the resulting wines. The domaine produces wines across all four Chablis classifications: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru, and Grand Cru.
Philosophy & Practice
Billaud-Simon adheres to a winemaking philosophy centered on transparent expression of Chablis terroir. The technical approach emphasizes temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, which preserves the pure fruit character and mineral precision of the Chardonnay grape. For select premier and grand cru wines, partial aging in oak barrels (typically 10-15%) adds subtle complexity without masking terroir expression. The domaine practices extended lees aging with regular bâtonnage (lees stirring) to develop textural richness while maintaining freshness. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally, contributing to the wines' balance and complexity. In the vineyards, Billaud-Simon implements sustainable practices with careful canopy management and yield control to ensure optimal grape ripeness while preserving natural acidity. The combination of these techniques results in wines that display the classic Chablis profile of citrus fruits, green apple, and pronounced mineral character, with the capacity to develop greater complexity with bottle age.