The bioreduction of 2-benzoylpyridine (1a) with Rhizopus arrhizus afforded (S)-(+)-alpha-phenyl-2-pyridylmethanol (2a) in 82% enantiomeric excess (e. e.) while the asymmetric hydrolysis of its racemic acetate resulted in the antipode (R)-(-)-2a with 24% optical purity.