Simon Faure

History of Domaine Simon Faure

Simon Faure's story is not that of a grand cru heir. Before setting foot in the vineyards of the Mâconnais, Simon practised a completely different trade: that of an electrician. A radical change of direction, driven by a growing passion for the vine and for living wines, led him to move into viticulture with a determination that commands respect. After gathering experience in the four corners of the winemaking world — in New Zealand, California and Chile — he settled in Burgundy in 2020, first in Chassey-le-Camp, near Santenay, before laying down permanent roots in Vergisson, at the foot of the famous Roches, the emblematic limestone spurs of the Mâconnais.

In 2023, he completed his first harvest as an independent winemaker. This first production was based on the considered purchase of carefully selected Chardonnay grapes, which he harvested himself. A demanding négociant-éleveur approach, in which Simon is involved at every stage of the process, from vine to bottle. His production, of approximately 10,000 bottles spread across several cuvées, is today one of the most discreet and most sought-after in southern Burgundy.

Simon Faure is also the partner of Jessica Litaud, a winemaker herself established in Vergisson, whose work is recognised as one of the absolute references of the Mâconnais. Two complementary visions, two distinct styles, one shared exigence: that of wines which tell the story of a place, a rock, a soil.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Simon Faure

The terroir of the Mâconnais, and more particularly that of Vergisson and its neighbouring communes, is of exceptional geological richness. The Rocks of Solutré and Vergisson, impressive Jurassic-age limestone cliffs, structure the landscape and impose their mineral character on the wines born at their feet. It is on these marly limestone, stony and well-draining soils that Chardonnay finds here a unique expression: tonicity, salinity, straightness and tension characterise the juices that emerge from them.

Simon Faure works on several plots spread across different appellations, each bringing its own nuance to his cuvées:

Vergisson and the limestone soils of Pouilly-Fuissé. The plots situated around Vergisson, at the heart of the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation, rest on hard limestone beds that outcrop at the surface, conferring on the wines a restrained power and a remarkable aromatic complexity. This terroir produces age-worthy whites, endowed with a rare depth.

The argilo-calcareous soils of Pierreclos. In the commune of Pierreclos, the soils change in nature and offer argilo-calcareous marls with more generous textures. Chardonnay develops there a broader substance and an elegant roundness, without ever losing the minerality that defines the entirety of Simon Faure's production.

Saint-Véran and its limestone terroirs. The Saint-Véran appellation, which borders that of Pouilly-Fuissé, is distinguished by the power of its terroirs. The Les Cras plot, with its very stony limestone soils, yields intense wines of vibrant energy, which reveal themselves fully after a few years in the cellar.

The entry-level Mâcon-Villages. More approachable on opening, Simon Faure's Mâcon-Villages are nonetheless wines of great precision, playing on fruity and lemony notes, with that freshness and salinity that characterise his entire range.

Harvesting is systematically carried out by hand, in small crates, to preserve the total integrity of the berries. Simon Faure commits to responsible farming practices, encouraging biodiversity in his vineyards and limiting the use of phytosanitary treatments to an absolute minimum. Organic certification was obtained in 2023, testament to a sincere and lasting commitment to his terroirs.

Winemaking at Domaine Simon Faure

Simon Faure's winemaking philosophy can be summed up in one formula: as little as possible, to say as much as possible. Convinced that it is the difference between terroirs, and that alone, which must distinguish the cuvées from one another, Simon Faure's cellar is a space of reasoned non-intervention, where every decision aims not to mask the expression of the soils.

Pressing. Upon reception of the grapes, pressing is carried out with great gentleness, so as to retain only the heart-of-press juices, the finest and purest. The first-press juices, often too oxidative or too loaded with bitterness, are set aside. This draconian selection at the press determines the quality and delicacy of the final wine.

Fermentation. The juices go directly into barrels to begin their fermentation. No stainless steel tanks, no added exogenous yeasts: it is the indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes and in the cellar that conduct the fermentation at their own pace. This choice of spontaneous fermentation is fundamental to the domaine's philosophy: it guarantees that the wine will express the singularity of its plot of origin, rather than a standardised aromatic profile.

Ageing in old barrels. Simon Faure ages his wines exclusively in used barrels, the most recent of which dates from 2018. This deliberate choice to avoid new barrels, and their oaky influence, allows the Chardonnay to express itself freely, without being dominated by aromas of oak or vanilla. The wood plays its role as a micro-oxygenating vessel and stabiliser, without ever imposing itself in the foreground. The ageing is long and patient, in keeping with the terroirs being worked.

No inputs. No added sulphur during vinification, no tartaric acid, no fining, no systematic filtration. The total absence of inputs is the rule, without exception. This radical stance requires heightened vigilance at every stage, but it is the sine qua non condition for wines that are truly alive, capable of evolving in the bottle and of surprising at each opening.

The result of this minimalist approach is striking: Simon Faure's wines are tonic, saline and taut, endowed with immediate aromatic frankness. Each cuvée faithfully reflects its terroir of origin. That is the magic of a winemaking approach that steps back before the place.

The Cuvées of Domaine Simon Faure

Mâcon-Villages

Sourced from plots on the limestone soils typical of the Mâconnais, this Chardonnay expresses itself with immediate aromatic frankness. The nose opens on notes of green apple, citrus and wet chalk, with a light floral touch. On the palate, the attack is clean and straight, the texture refined, and the saline, persistent finish brings that mineral signature found throughout the entire range. A wine of immediate pleasure, perfect as an aperitif or with seafood, yet endowed with several years of ageing potential. 

Mâcon-Pierreclos

Born from the argilo-calcareous marls of the commune of Pierreclos, this cuvée represents a further step in complexity and texture. The clays here lend the Chardonnay a broader, more enveloping substance, without ever weighing down the style. The nose is intense: white peach, fresh almond, flint and a light iodine touch. The palate is more ample than that of the Mâcon-Villages, endowed with a beautiful roundness, yet always kept in check by an irreproachable minerality. The finish is long, refined, and leaves a sensation of great precision. 

Mâcon-La Roche-Vineuse

This cuvée represents a recent foray by Simon Faure into a new terroir, that of La Roche-Vineuse, a Mâconnais village renowned for its hillside vines and varied soils. The first vintages bear witness to a style characteristic of the estate: an intense, vibrant nose, a tonic and saline palate.

Saint-Véran Les Cras

The Les Cras plot rests on very stony limestone soils, which confer an additional depth on the wine. On opening, the nose may appear discreet, almost reserved, but it unfolds rapidly with aeration to reveal a rich aromatic palette: candied citrus, white flowers, mineral notes and a light buttery touch. On the palate, the wine is deeper than the Mâcon wines in the range, with an impressive tension and energy. The finish is long and persistent, carried by a chiselled minerality. 

Pouilly-Fuissé

Simon Faure's Pouilly-Fuissé represents the most accomplished expression of his work on the great limestone terroirs of the Mâconnais. Sourced from vines situated around Vergisson, at the heart of one of the most prestigious appellations in southern Burgundy, this wine reveals a controlled power and an aromatic complexity that will not fail to seduce lovers of great Burgundian whites. The nose opens on aromas of acacia honey, ripe yellow fruits and toasted hazelnut, with a limestone minerality in the background. The palate is rich and ample, yet never heavy: the natural acidity of the Chardonnay and the minerality of the terroir ensure a straightness and a freshness that perfectly balance the substance. The finish is persistent and complex, marked by toasted nuances and a characteristic final salinity.