Chateau d’Arche, Sauternes, France

The 40 hectare Sauternes vineyard of Chateau dArche is planted to 90% Semillon, 9% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle. The estate has currently close to 30 hectares under vine.

The terroir is a blend of gravel, rocks, stones, clay and limestone soils. The average age of the vines is 45 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,600 vines per hectare.

To produce the wine of Chateau dArche, the wine is vinified in French oak barrels and is then aged in 30% new, French oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, before bottling. It is interesting to note that Chateau dArche is one of the few, if not the only 1855 classified growth to use a synthetic cork.