Domaine Billaud-Simon is a leading wine producer located in Chablis. The domaine has been growing Chardonnay in the region since 1815 and produces some of the best examples of Chablis Grand Cru and Premier Cru. Billaud-Simon owns some 17 hectares (42 acres) of vineyard land on Chablis' unique Kimmeridgian soil. This is a famously ancient soil composed of marine sediment, algae, and shells, named after a village and bay in Dorset on England's Jurassic Coast. The estate is one of the last in the region to harvest, a practice retained by its current owners - Faiveley bought the business in 2014. Around 15 percent (roughly four hectares) of the vineyards from the former estate are now part of Domaine Samuel Billaud.Faively do not seek to gain organic ceritification. Reliance on copper sulphate and sulphur usage in the vineyard is considered more harmful than the fungicides which are the only non-organic products used. Vineyard holdings, wines and winemaking The domaine's land includes parcels in four grand crus: Les Clos, Vaudésir, Les Preuses and Les Blanchots. Billaud-Simon also has land in four premier crus: Montée de Tonnerre, Fourchaume, Mont de Milieu and Les Vaillons. Wines are made from each of these vineyards.Tête d'Or is Domaine Billaud-Simon's special cuvée from the estate's highest-quality Village-level parcels situated next to the best Chablis Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites. Two plots below Montée de Tonerre are the main source; they do not have Premier Cru status because that area is prone to frost. The lineup is completed by Petit Chablis and Chablis AOC wines. The latter two wines are aged in vat only. For the other wines, varying combinations of vats and oak barrels may be used for malolactic fermentation and maturation. Neutral innoculated yeasts are used.