Les Vignobles Arbo - Château Godard Bellevue - Château Puyanche

Vignobles Arbo

A family estate in Francs (33570), on the right bank of Bordeaux. 51 hectares between Francs Côtes de Bordeaux and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, fifth generation (Dorian and Margaux Arbo). Reasoned viticulture, ISO 14001 certified. Cuvees Château Puyanché, Château Godard Bellevue and Arbo Malbec.

The Vignobles Arbo have their roots in a long line of winegrowers settled in Francs, in the Bordeaux region, since the early 20th century. It was in 1988 that Bernadette and Joseph Arbo decided to bring the family estate back to life by creating their own cellar and relaunching independent winemaking. Their very first wine, the Château Puyanché, pays tribute to Amand Puyanché, the founding ancestor who fell during the First World War. Over time, the estate has established itself as a reference of the Francs Côtes de Bordeaux and the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux.

A generous vineyard, two exceptional appellations

The Vignobles Arbo span 51 hectares: 38 ha of red and 3 ha of white in Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, and 10 ha of reds in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux. A terroir of clay-limestone slopes, with a dry, temperate continental climate, facing south-west, which gives wines of great freshness and harmonious balance.

Château Puyanché Rouge

Red - Francs Côtes de Bordeaux (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon)

The estate's very first wine, a tribute to the ancestor Amand Puyanché. A deep, elegant and persistent red, a blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%).

Château Puyanché Blanc Sec

Dry white - Francs Côtes de Bordeaux (Sauvignon, Sémillon)

A lively, floral white, a blend of Sauvignon (75%) and Sémillon (25%). Perfect with fish and fresh cheeses, it embodies the freshness of the terroir.

Château Godard Bellevue

Red - Francs Côtes de Bordeaux (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon)

A Bordeaux blend red combining balanced finesse and complexity. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for a harmonious wine, offered across several vintages.

L'Étoilé du Château Godard Bellevue

Red - Francs Côtes de Bordeaux (100% Merlot)

The Château Godard Bellevue's exceptional cuvee, made from 100% Merlot. A silky texture and a bright palate, the accomplished expression of the clay-limestone terroir.

Les Moulins de Coussillon

Red - Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux (Merlot, Cabernet Franc)

A fruity, elegant and accessible red, in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux. A blend of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%), a wine of pleasure and sharing.

Arbo Malbec

Red - Côtes de Bordeaux (Malbec, Merlot)

A bold style, with melted tannins and spicy notes. A blend of Malbec (85%) and Merlot (15%), the modern, singular signature of the Arbo house.

Francs and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, direct

Which Vignobles Arbo cuvee to choose to explore the Côtes de Bordeaux?

For the historic cuvee, the Château Puyanché Rouge (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon). For a lively white, the Château Puyanché Blanc Sec. For the Bordeaux blend, the Château Godard Bellevue, and its exceptional cuvee L'Étoilé (100% Merlot). For an accessible red, Les Moulins de Coussillon (Castillon), and for boldness, the Arbo Malbec.

Where are the Vignobles Arbo located?

In Francs (33570), on the right bank of Bordeaux, between the appellations Francs Côtes de Bordeaux and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux. A terroir of clay-limestone slopes facing south-west, with a dry, temperate continental climate.

What is the history of the Vignobles Arbo?

A long line of winegrowers settled in Francs since the early 20th century. In 1988, Bernadette and Joseph Arbo brought the estate back to life by creating their cellar and relaunching independent winemaking. Their first wine, the Château Puyanché, pays tribute to Amand Puyanché, the founding ancestor who fell during the First World War. Today, Dorian and Margaux Arbo embody the fifth generation.

Are the Vignobles Arbo organic or certified?

The estate farms the vine with a reasoned, sustainable approach, and is ISO 14001 certified (environmental management, via the Bordeaux wine association labelled AFAQ). Among the practices: no insecticide or acaricide for more than ten years, halving of sulfur and copper doses, natural grass cover. The estate is not certified organic, but follows a demanding environmental approach.

Which grape varieties make up the Vignobles Arbo?

For reds: Merlot (dominant), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. For whites: Sauvignon and Sémillon. Classic Bordeaux varieties, on clay-limestone soils facing south-west.

What are the cuvees of the Vignobles Arbo?

The Château Puyanché Rouge and Blanc Sec, the Château Godard Bellevue and its L'Étoilé cuvee (100% Merlot), Les Moulins de Coussillon (Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux) and the Arbo Malbec. Discovery gift sets are also offered.

What is the Château Puyanché?

The estate's very first wine, created in 1988 in tribute to the founding ancestor Amand Puyanché. It comes in red (Merlot 80%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%), deep and persistent, and in dry white (Sauvignon 75%, Sémillon 25%), lively and floral.

What is the Château Godard Bellevue?

A Francs Côtes de Bordeaux red, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, all in balanced finesse and complexity. Its exceptional cuvee, L'Étoilé, is made from 100% Merlot, for a silky texture and a bright palate.

What is the Arbo Malbec?

A bold cuvee in Côtes de Bordeaux, a blend of Malbec (85%) and Merlot (15%). With melted tannins and spicy notes, it embodies the modern, singular signature of the Arbo house.

What is the difference between Francs and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux?

Two neighbouring appellations of the Bordeaux right bank. The estate makes its wines there: the Château Puyanché and the Château Godard Bellevue in Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, Les Moulins de Coussillon in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux. Terroirs of clay-limestone slopes, suited to elegant, balanced reds.

How do the Vignobles Arbo work?

Every step of the growing cycle is done by hand: pruning, disbudding, desuckering and leaf-thinning, to obtain healthy, concentrated grapes. Controlled grass cover limits erosion and favours beneficial fauna. The modern cellar, built in 2011, combines technology and artisanal savoir-faire for a precise vinification.

Can you buy the Vignobles Arbo wines directly?

Yes: the cuvees are available here, direct from the estate, shipped with care, across France and Europe.

Direct from the estate, the richness of the Côtes de Bordeaux

Vignobles Arbo (Château Godard Bellevue, Château Puyanché): a family estate in Francs (33570), on the right bank of Bordeaux, since the early 20th century. An independent cellar created in 1988 by Bernadette and Joseph Arbo; fifth generation carried by Dorian (winemaking) and Margaux (sales) Arbo. 51 hectares between Francs Côtes de Bordeaux (38 ha red, 3 ha white) and Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux (10 ha), on clay-limestone soils facing south-west. Reasoned and sustainable viticulture, ISO 14001 certified; no insecticide or acaricide for more than ten years, natural grass cover, manual work in the vineyard, a modern cellar (2011).

Cuvees: Château Puyanché Rouge (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) and Blanc Sec (Sauvignon, Sémillon), Château Godard Bellevue, L'Étoilé (100% Merlot), Les Moulins de Coussillon (Castillon) and Arbo Malbec