Château d'Arcole

Identity

Château d'Arcole is located in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, in the Gironde département. The estate is owned by Véronique Barthe and Philippe Gardère.

History and Philosophy

Château d'Arcole was founded in 1789 by Jean Barthe. The estate's name refers to the Battle of the Pont d’Arcole in 1796, in which an ancestor of the family took part. The property has been handed down from generation to generation within the family for more than two centuries. The vineyard is managed using organic and biodynamic viticulture.

The Appellations

Château d'Arcole produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. The vineyard is planted in the commune of Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens.

Winemaking and Ageing

Harvesting is carried out either by hand or mechanically. Vinification takes place in small rotary stainless steel vats. The extraction of colour and tannins is gentle and slow. During winemaking, no pumps are used to transfer the wine, as racking is done entirely by gravity directly into oak barrels. Ageing takes place in barrels for 14 to 18 months, depending on the vintage. The wine is aged 30% in vats, 20% in new barrels, and 40% in barrels of one wine or more. Bottling takes place the following spring without filtration.

Practical Information

The estate is located at La Tripaudière, 33330 Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens. Château d'Arcole can be contacted by phone at 05 57 84 55 90 or by email at contact@chateaudarcole.com. The cellar door is open from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 18:00. Tastings are available and group visits are welcome. The estate staff speaks English and French.

Find Out More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The Château d'Arcole vineyard extends across 5 contiguous hectares situated in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens. The soils are clay-limestone and clay. The grape varieties consist of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The average age of the vines is 35 years. Soil management is carried out through light ploughing, and no weedkillers are used. Vineyard protection relies entirely on natural products. Vineyard practices include disbudding, leaf removal, and green harvesting. Château d'Arcole is certified organic and biodynamic.

Flagship Cuvées

Château d'Arcole produces a still red wine that reflects the estate's terroir and craftsmanship. The wine is estate-bottled at the Château. Château La Freynelle is also a cuvée produced by the estate. Red, white, rosé, and clairet wines are crafted here.