Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc

History of the Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc

The history of the Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc is that of a bold career change and a return to roots. Frédéric Gounan, from a farming family established in Saint-Sandoux since the French Revolution, was not destined to become a winemaker. Before venturing into viticulture, he worked as a mechanic and prototype designer for Voxan, a French motorcycle brand based in Issoire. However, tired of the increasing industrialization of this field, he chose to reconnect with his ancestors' land. In 1999, armed with a professional certificate in agricultural management (BPREA), he took over gamay plots from Auvergne, a historic grape variety of the region, and began planting pinot noir as early as 2000. At the same time, he perfected his expertise in Burgundy, with Emmanuel Giboulot, a pioneer of biodynamics.

The estate takes its name from a great centuries-old tree planted at the heart of the vineyards, a designation recorded in the cadastre since time immemorial. With Caroline, nicknamed "Carotte", a trained horticulturist, Frédéric shapes a viticultural project in harmony with nature. Their ambition? To cultivate the volcanic terroirs of Saint-Sandoux without falling into the pitfalls of the productionist viticulture of the past, where vines were pushed to "piss" to maximize yields at the expense of quality. From its modest beginnings with half a hectare of gamay, the estate has expanded to reach 1.6 hectares, including 1.1 hectares of pinot noir and 0.5 hectares of white grape varieties (sauvignon and pinot gris). In 2023, a new chapter begins with the arrival of Julie and Jacob Ottosen von Rosen, a Danish couple ready to perpetuate this unique heritage from 2024 onwards.

Terroirs and Vineyards of the Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc

The Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc rests on an exceptional terroir, shaped by the volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys. The soils, rich in basalt and lava, give the wines a distinctive minerality, while the white grape parcels benefit from a mixture of clay-limestone granitic with basalt. This geological diversity, combined with moderate altitude and contrasting climate, offers ideal conditions for fresh and expressive wines. The pinot noirs flourish on black basaltic lands, while the sauvignons and pinot gris draw their elegance from lighter and stonier soils, sometimes scattered with massive rocks that put Frédéric's tools to the test.

The estate extends over 1.6 hectares, with a main pinot noir parcel (1.1 ha) planted in 2000 on the western slopes of the puy de Saint-Sandoux, and a second 0.5-hectare parcel dedicated to white grape varieties, established in 2010. Frédéric made the bold choice of lyre trellising, a rare technique in Auvergne, which optimizes leaf exposure to sunlight and promotes photosynthesis. This system, which he adopted from his first plantings to maximize grape ripeness in a sometimes capricious climate, also ensures good vine aeration, essential on these windy hillsides. The soils are worked in biodynamics, enriched with preparations such as cow horn manure, and Frédéric takes care to maintain their vitality by plowing under the rows and limiting weed competition. For him, soil life is the key to a living and authentic wine.

Vinifications at the Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc

At the Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc, vinification is a minimalist art where nature dictates. Frédéric Gounan favors natural methods, without added sulfur, whether at bottling or in the barrels. The reds, mainly pinot noirs, are vinified with whole cluster maceration, followed by extended aging (up to 30 months for Les Orgues) in barrels or stoneware jars, recently adopted for their neutrality and ability to enhance the terroir's minerality. The assembly of cuvées, such as Les Grandes Orgues and Les Petites Orgues, relies on intuitive tasting: Frédéric selects the best barrels for the first, while the rest compose the second.

For the whites, the process is equally distinctive. The sauvignons undergo direct pressing in a vertical press, then are joined by destemmed pinot gris for a six-month maceration in closed tank. After fermentation, the white wines are aged one year in barrels, or longer for certain cuvées like Les Fesses, which benefits from three years of aging. Frédéric, a mechanic at heart, crafts his own tools and adapts his equipment, such as his 25-hectoliter Vaslin press, to meet the specific needs of his vinifications. This artisanal approach, combined with absolute trust in the wines' ability to "right themselves" on their own, defines the identity of the living wines of l'Arbre Blanc.

The Cuvées of the Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc

Ma'Carotte

Ma'Carotte is a dry white wine, fresh and mineral, from a balanced blend of pinot gris and sauvignon. With its aromas of citrus (toasted orange peel), pineapple and guava, enhanced by honeyed notes, this wine seduces with its vivacity and saline finish, typical of basaltic soils. Capped like a beer, it is perfect for all occasions. Produced in limited quantities, Ma'Carotte is a treasure to seize quickly.

Les Fesses

The estate's best-seller, Les Fesses is a gastronomic white wine born on an eponymous parcel with clay-limestone soils rich in granite and basalt. This blend of sauvignon and pinot gris, vinified with maceration and aged three years in barrels, reveals complex notes of honey, quince, apple and rhubarb. Its rich texture and pronounced minerality make it an ideal companion for refined dishes.

Les Grandes Orgues

Single varietal pinot noir cultivated on basaltic soils, Les Grandes Orgues embodies the quintessence of the vintage. Selected from the finest barrels, this cuvée offers generous body, pure red fruits and volcanic freshness. Its intense minerality and vivacity make it an exceptional wine, both powerful and elegant.

Les Orgues

Pure pinot noir vinified with whole clusters and aged 30 months in barrels, Les Orgues expresses the unique identity of the Auvergne terroir. Mineralized red fruits, straightness and volcanic tension: this iconic cuvée seduces with its balance and depth, reflecting the clay-limestone and basaltic soils.

Petites Orgues

Sourced from barrels not selected for Les Grandes Orgues, Les Petites Orgues remains a high-quality pinot noir. Less concentrated but equally vibrant, it offers immediate accessibility while maintaining the estate's mineral signature.

Grigiolo (2024 new release)

Under the direction of Julie and Jacob, Grigiolo is a pinot gris with extended maceration. With high acidity and aging potential, this cuvée promises beautiful evolution in barrel, marking the estate's renewal.

Anthèse (2024 new release)

Scheduled for 2024, Anthèse is a sauvignon blanc harvested early and aged for an extended period. Julie and Jacob aim to make it a tribute to the generosity of the Auvergne nature.

The Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc is just one facet of the Auvergne wine revival. To extend your exploration of the region's natural wines, immerse yourself in the universe of other exceptional estates. Discover the unique creations of Benoît Rosenberger and Henri Chauvet, passionate artisans from Puy-de-Dôme, or let yourself be seduced by L'Eau Qui Dort and Les Bariolés, which boldly sublimate volcanic terroirs. Don't miss Pierre Beauger and Mito Inoué either, emerging names to watch closely, as well as the unmissable Patrick Bouju, emblematic figure of natural viticulture. Each estate offers a singular interpretation of Auvergne, to be found on our website to enrich your cellar and your tastings!

The Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc is much more than a wine estate: it is an ode to nature, to the volcanic terroir of Auvergne and to the passion of Frédéric Gounan and Caroline. From their emblematic cuvées such as Les Grandes Orgues and Les Fesses to the future creations of Julie and Jacob, these biodynamic wines captivate with their authenticity and unique minerality. Available for purchase at the best price on our website, they are an invitation to discover a flourishing Auvergne wine region. Whether you are a lover of deep pinot noir or atypical whites, the Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc promises unforgettable taste experiences, rooted in artisanal craftsmanship and environmental respect.