Château de Garbes

Identity

Château de Garbes is a family-run winegrowing estate located in Gabarnac, in the Gironde. It is owned by the David family, with Elodie, Fabien, and Thibault representing the current generation at the helm of the property. The estate operates as an independent winegrower (viticulteur récoltant).

History and Philosophy

The history of Château de Garbes began in 1900 with its acquisition by the David family. Since then, seven generations have succeeded one another in tending the vineyard and crafting the wines. The estate is committed to sustainable viticulture, as evidenced by its Terra Vitis certification achieved in 2023.

Appellations

Château de Garbes produces wines under several appellations: AOC Cadillac, AOC Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux rosé, Bordeaux blanc Sauvignon sec, and Crémant de Bordeaux.

Practical Information

The tasting cellar at Château de Garbes is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. On Saturdays, visits are by appointment. The estate offers complimentary tours including an introduction to its wine range and cellars. Free tastings are provided, and tapas platters are available. The property accommodates groups (up to 50 people) and is pet-friendly. Languages spoken for tours are French, German, and English. Payment can be made in cash, by cheque, or by credit card. Château de Garbes also offers a gîte accommodating 4 to 5 guests. Online ordering is available through their web shop, featuring home delivery twice a year (spring and autumn) for orders of at least 36 bottles across several regions of France.

Address: 105 route de Larrayan, 33410 Gabarnac
Telephone: 05 56 62 92 23
Email: contact@garbes.fr

Find Out More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The Château de Garbes vineyard covers an area of 63 hectares. The soils consist of clay-loam and clay-gravel. Certain parcels are home to vines over 88 years old. The grape varieties notably include Sémillon, used for sweet dessert wines. Harvesting for these sweet wines is carried out by hand in successive selective pickings (tries successives) starting in October, benefiting from noble rot (Botrytis Cinerea) encouraged by morning mists from the Garonne and late-season sunshine.

Flagship Cuvées

Château de Garbes offers a diverse portfolio of wines. Among the reds, the AOC Côtes de Bordeaux cuvées are crafted to deliver a structure that is both well-built and fruit-forward. Dry white wines, such as the Bordeaux Blanc Sec, are distinguished by their expressive fruity aromas. The estate also produces fruity rosé wines under the AOC Bordeaux rosé appellation.

For sweet white wines, the estate offers several cuvées in AOC Cadillac, notably Cuvée Tradition and Cuvée Fût de Chêne. Cuvée Tradition displays a luminous golden-yellow colour, with a fresh, fruity, and floral bouquet. On the palate, it stands out for its lively acidity and harmonious sweetness, revealing flavours of ripe fruit with an elegant, light, and well-balanced profile. Another sweet cuvée, Cadillac Grains Nobles, is also produced.

Finally, Château de Garbes crafts sparkling wines with its Crémants de Bordeaux, available in Brut Blanc and Rosé versions.

Vinification and Ageing

The sweet wines of Château de Garbes are made from hand-harvested grapes selected across multiple passes. Pressing is gentle and pneumatic. Fermentation and vinification take place traditionally in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Certain wines, such as Cuvée Spéciale Fût de Chêne, benefit from oak barrel ageing alongside maturation in vat.