History
Domaine Simon Bize & Fils began in 1880 in Savigny-lès-Beaune, Burgundy, when great-grandfather Simon Bize acquired initial vineyard parcels amid phylloxera challenges, growing through generations of the same name. By 1918, his grandson expanded holdings with mechanized tools; in 1950, another Simon pioneered estate-bottling and direct sales, building a reputation for quality among connoisseurs. Patrick Bize elevated the domaine from 1972 with new facilities and parcels across 22 hectares in Savigny-lès-Beaune (six Premier Crus), Beaune, Aloxe-Corton, and Gevrey-Chambertin; since his 2013 passing, wife Chisa Bize manages alongside sister Marielle Bize-Grivot.
Viticulture Philosophy
The domaine practices sustainable viticulture emphasizing soil health through plowing over herbicides, minimal treatments, hand-harvesting, and vineyard sorting for optimal ripeness and acidity balance. Chisa Bize initiated biodynamics in 2008 on plots like Les Serpentières to enhance authenticity, biodiversity, and environmental harmony, reflecting a commitment to terroir expression in Savigny's clay-limestone soils. Low-intervention methods prioritize vine health and precise grape maturity for elegant, site-specific wines.
Winemaking Techniques
Hand-harvested grapes undergo rigorous sorting; whites are gently pressed, settled, and fermented naturally in 15-30% new oak barrels (9-15 months aging), with malolactic and lees stirring for texture, assembled without fining or filtration. Reds feature partial whole-cluster fermentation in wooden vats with foot-treaded punch-downs for finesse, avoiding over-extraction, followed by minimal new oak (1-6 years old), one-year barrel aging, natural malolactic, single racking, and bottling unfined/unfiltered. Techniques vary by vintage and terroir, yielding delicate Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay from village to Grand Cru levels.
Critics and Journalist Praises
Domaine Simon Bize is lauded for finesse and terroir fidelity in Savigny-lès-Beaune, with Burgundy-Report praising 2019 Savigny 1er Fourneaux for its "delicious and beautifully fresh" profile and Marconnets for 10-20 year potential. Allen Meadows (Burghound) consistently rates their wines highly for elegance, as seen in top Savigny listings. Critics highlight the domaine's evolution under Chisa Bize, with James Suckling noting refined Burgundy expressions amid 2023/2024 vintages, affirming its status among Cote de Beaune benchmarks.
