Samuel Billaud
Summary
Samuel Billaud operates a 15-hectare independent domaine in Chablis, crafting terroir-expressive Chardonnay from exceptional vineyard holdings spanning all appellation levels, including prestigious Grand Cru parcels with Kimmeridgian limestone soils. His thoughtful balance between traditional methods and modern precision—combining hand harvesting, judicious oak use, and extended lees aging—has quickly established him among Chablis' elite producers since founding his own operation in 2009.
Heritage & Leadership
Samuel Billaud represents the latest chapter in a long-established Chablis winemaking family. After working at his family's Domaine Billaud-Simon for years, Samuel established his own independent domaine in 2009 following differences in winemaking philosophy with other family members. When Domaine Billaud-Simon was sold to Burgundy house Faiveley in 2014, Samuel secured ownership of several prime vineyard parcels, significantly expanding his holdings.
Based in Chablis, Samuel personally oversees all aspects of production, from vineyard management to winemaking decisions. His transition from working within the family business to establishing his independent operation marks a significant development in the region's recent history, allowing him to fully implement his own winemaking vision. The domaine's headquarters are housed in old cellars in Chablis town, which Samuel renovated specifically to accommodate his precise winemaking requirements.
Vineyards & Wines
Samuel Billaud works with approximately 15 hectares of vineyards spread across Chablis' hierarchy of appellations. His holdings include parcels in the Grand Cru vineyards of Les Clos, Vaudésir, and Blanchot, along with Premier Cru sites including Mont de Milieu, Montée de Tonnerre, Séchet, and Vaillons. He also produces village-level Chablis and Petit Chablis.
The vineyards feature the region's characteristic Kimmeridgian limestone soils, rich in fossilized marine organisms that contribute to Chablis' distinctive mineral profile. Vines range in age from 15 to over 70 years old, with the oldest found in his Grand Cru parcels. All vineyards are planted exclusively to Chardonnay, following the appellation requirements of Chablis.
Samuel's production focuses on site-specific expressions, with each bottling reflecting its particular terroir. His range demonstrates the diverse expressions possible within Chablis, from the precise, tense Petit Chablis to the complex, age-worthy Grand Crus.
Philosophy & Practice
Samuel Billaud employs a meticulous approach that balances traditional Chablis methods with modern precision. Harvest is conducted by hand for the premier and grand cru vineyards to ensure optimal grape selection. Depending on the vineyard and vintage conditions, Samuel uses a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels for fermentation and aging.
For his top cuvées, Samuel typically ferments in tank before aging the wines in a combination of stainless steel and oak barrels, with only 10-20% new oak for grand crus to avoid overwhelming the wine's inherent character. This measured approach to oak allows for textural development while preserving the mineral purity that defines classic Chablis.
Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally, and the wines remain on their fine lees with minimal batonnage to build complexity while maintaining tension. Samuel practices extended aging for his premier and grand cru wines, allowing them to develop fully before release. His winemaking philosophy centers on transparent expression of each vineyard site, with minimal intervention once the grapes reach the winery. This approach has established Samuel Billaud as a producer of precise, terroir-driven Chablis that faithfully represents the region's distinctive character.