Francs: Discover the Smallest Bordeaux appellation with Château Puyanché
Vignobles Arbo, located in the Francs and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellations, is a family-owned estate with over a century of winemaking history. The estate was established by Bernadette Arbo’s great-great-grandfather in the early 20th century. Although the founder’s dream of creating a vineyard was interrupted by World War I, the Arbo family’s passion for winemaking lived on. Today, the estate is managed by the latest generation, Margaux and Dorian Arbo, who have continued to expand and innovate, making Vignobles Arbo one of the standout producers in Bordeaux.
Terroir and Vineyards
Vignobles Arbo spans 51 hectares, divided between the Francs Côtes de Bordeaux and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellations. The estate’s terroir is characterized by its fossil-rich limestone subsoil, covered by layers of molasse d’Agenais, which is a mix of clay and limestone. This combination gives the wines their signature minerality and complexity. The vineyards benefit from a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, allowing the vines to produce balanced, well-structured wines.
The estate grows traditional Bordeaux varieties, including Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc for their red wines, and Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc for their whites. The reds are known for their depth, while the whites display elegance and freshness due to fermentation and aging in oak barrels.
Sustainable Winemaking
Vignobles Arbo is firmly committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. The estate is HVE 3 certified (High Environmental Value), emphasizing biodiversity and regenerative agriculture. The family has adopted practices like agroforestry, and they collaborate with local farmers for winter weed management using sheep grazing. They also protect local wildlife, including bats, which naturally control pests in the vineyard.
In the cellar, Vignobles Arbo continues its commitment to minimal intervention. The whites are fermented in oak barrels with periodic stirring, while the reds are vinified in stainless steel and aged in either tanks or barrels depending on the wine’s style. The use of sulphites is minimal, ensuring that the natural characteristics of the fruit are preserved.
Notable Wines
- Francs Côtes de Bordeaux Blanc: A barrel-fermented white with layers of freshness and complexity, made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
- Côtes de Bordeaux Malbec: A rare 100% Malbec that showcases the rich, dark fruit flavors and structured tannins typical of the region’s limestone soils
