d'Arche, Chateau
Summary
Château d'Arche is a 40-hectare Second Growth Sauternes estate owned by the Thomassin family, producing sweet wines from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grown on limestone and clay soils where the Ciron River's morning mists create ideal conditions for noble rot. The estate maintains traditional methods with multiple harvest passes to select perfectly botrytized grapes, followed by conventional fermentation and oak aging that preserves the historical character of Sauternes viticulture.
Heritage & Leadership
Château d'Arche stands as a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru Classé) estate as classified in the historic 1855 Sauternes classification. Located in the Sauternes appellation of Bordeaux, this property has deep roots in the region's winemaking tradition. The estate is currently owned by the Thomassin family, who maintain the château's focus on quality sweet wine production. The property includes a historic château building that serves as a visual anchor for the estate, reflecting the architectural heritage typical of the Bordeaux region.
Vineyards & Wines
The vineyards of Château d'Arche span approximately 40 hectares within the Sauternes appellation. The estate's plantings follow the traditional varietal composition for the region, with Sémillon dominating the vineyards, complemented by smaller proportions of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The vineyard soils consist primarily of limestone and clay, providing good drainage and mineral components that contribute to the wines' character. The property benefits from the specific microclimate of Sauternes, where morning mists from the Ciron River and afternoon sun create ideal conditions for the development of Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), essential for the production of the estate's sweet wines.
Philosophy & Practice
Château d'Arche adheres to traditional Sauternes winemaking methods, centered around the careful harvesting of botrytized grapes. The harvest typically occurs in multiple passes through the vineyards (tries), with pickers selecting only those grapes affected by noble rot at the optimal stage. This labor-intensive process ensures that only properly concentrated fruit enters production. In the cellar, the estate follows traditional fermentation practices, with the naturally high sugar levels of the botrytized grapes resulting in naturally sweet wines with moderate alcohol levels. The wines undergo aging in oak barrels, developing complexity while preserving the distinctive honeyed character for which Sauternes is known. Beyond their primary sweet wine, the château also produces a dry white wine from their vineyard holdings, offering a different expression of their terroir.