Heritage

A reference estate for Chardonnay

Domaine Billaud-Simon’s importance comes from both its history and its vineyard position. The domaine works exclusively with Chardonnay and focuses on expressing the differences between Chablis, Premier Cru and Grand Cru terroirs. Its wines have long been recognised for a steely, mineral style, combining freshness, fruit concentration, salinity and a capacity for ageing.

The domaine’s approach is not built around weight or overt oak, but around precision, balance and the natural character of the Chablis terroir.

Region and Vineyards

The heart of Chablis

All of Domaine Billaud-Simon’s parcels are planted within the commune of Chablis, in the heart of the historic appellation. The vineyards sit within a compact radius on both the left and right banks of the Serein, giving the domaine a focused and coherent vineyard base.

The region’s semi-continental climate is central to the style of the wines. Chardonnay ripens slowly, developing aromatic concentration and complexity while retaining the acidity and saline freshness that punctuate high-quality Chablis.

Grand Cru and Premier Cru holdings

The domaine owns or works with almost 17 hectares of vines, including four Grand Crus: Les Clos, Vaudésir, Les Preuses and Les Blanchots. These are among the most recognised names in Grand Cru Chablis, bringing depth, structure, power and long ageing potential.

Billaud-Simon produces four Premier Crus: Montée de Tonnerre, Fourchaume, Mont de Milieu and Les Vaillons. These sites allow the domaine to show a range of Chablis expressions, from the tension and drive of Montée de Tonnerre to the breadth and generosity associated with other Premier Crus.

The domaine also produces Petit Chablis, Chablis and Chablis Tête d’Or, the latter made from a selection of high-quality village parcels, including sites close to the Grand Cru vineyards.

Viticulture and Winemaking

Kimmeridgian terroir and old vines

Chablis is defined by its Kimmeridgian soils, formed from marine sediments, algae and shells around 155 million years ago. This limestone-rich geology is central to the region’s identity, contributing to the saline and oyster shell minerality associated with classic Chablis.

Since 2015, Olivier Bailly, originally from Burgundy, has been the winemaker of Domaine Billaud-Simon. He is overseen by Jérôme Flous, Technical Director of Domaine Faiveley.

The team works with high-quality old vines, many of which have been carefully preserved over time. Vineyard work is detailed and traditional, including Taille Chablis and careful monitoring of ripeness. The domaine usually harvests on the later side, successfully achieving physiological maturity, concentration and freshness.

Precision in the cellar

Harvesting is carried out with close attention to fruit quality. Grapes are tasted, picked, sorted manually and gently pressed before vinification and ageing at the domaine.

The winemaking is designed to preserve the purity and mineral profile of Chardonnay. Stainless steel is central to the winemaking style, retaining freshness and tension. Oak, almost always old, is used discreetly for selected cuvées, particularly where additional texture and aromatic complexity can support the wine without masking the character of the site.

Maturation generally lasts between 14 and 18 months, depending on the vintage and cuvée. This allows the wines to gain concentration, aromatic length and structure while retaining the crystalline profile typical of Domaine Billaud-Simon.

Style of Wine

Domaine Billaud-Simon produces still white Burgundy from Chardonnay, across Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru and Grand Cru levels. The wines are typically crisp, mineral and precise, with citrus fruit, white flowers, saline freshness and oyster shell minerality from the limestone soils of Chablis.

The village wines show purity, freshness and overt Chablis character, while Chablis Tête d’Or offers added depth from selected parcels. The Premier Cru wines bring more texture, length and site definition, and the Grand Crus offer greater concentration, structure and ageing potential. Across the range, Billaud-Simon combines tension and generosity, producing Chablis that can be drunk young or aged further in bottle.

A Chablis benchmark in the UK wine trade

Domaine Billaud-Simon offers a complete Chablis ladder from one estate. Village Chablis supports by-the-glass listings especially well, while the Premier Crus and Grand Crus add variety for fine dining, retail and collectors.

Visit Domaine Billaud-Simon’s website.