Château Minuty

Château Minuty is one of Provence's most recognizable wine estates, set in Gassin above the bay of Saint-Tropez. Known chiefly for its rosé, the property holds the Cru Classé Côtes de Provence title, and its distinctive corseted bottle has become a familiar shape on rosé shelves far beyond France.

Where does the estate come from?

The story begins in 1936, when wine merchant Gabriel Farnet bought 17 hectares of land together with a 19th-century château on the hills above Saint-Tropez. The limestone-schist and clay soils, combined with a Mediterranean climate, proved well suited to vines, and by 1955 the estate had earned the Cru Classé title, joining the select ranks of classified Côtes de Provence growths. Château Minuty has stayed in the hands of the Matton-Farnet family ever since, now running the property for four generations. It was Monique and Étienne Matton who restructured the vineyards, cut yields to raise quality, and introduced the corseted bottle used for the M Rosé cuvée, a move that helped build the brand's identity on export markets. In 2023, LVMH (Moët Hennessy) took a stake in the estate, though day-to-day management has remained with the founding family.

What is there to see on site?

The property today spans roughly 200 hectares of vines, of which 65 hectares lie directly within Gassin, with the remainder spread across the surrounding hills of the Saint-Tropez peninsula. A visit typically starts at the estate's tasting room — modern in design but relaxed in feel — before a walk through the vineyards and cellars. The standard visit ends with a tasting of three wines, and both the self-guided tour and tasting are free of charge. An on-site shop sells bottles directly, and orders placed online can be picked up on-site through Click & Collect or delivered to the door.

What should you drink at Minuty?

The flagship wine is M Rosé, pale salmon-pink in color, with notes of citrus, red berries, and flowers. It is built mainly from Grenache (around 60%), Cinsault (around 30%), and Syrah (around 10%), fermented in stainless steel after a short maceration — a process that gives the wine its trademark freshness and lightness, prized by rosé drinkers worldwide. Annual output reaches 8 to 9 million bottles, making Minuty one of the larger Cru Classé producers in the region without sacrificing the quality of its individual cuvées.

When and how to get there?

Château Minuty sits at 2491 Route de la Berle in Gassin (83580), a short drive from both central Saint-Tropez and the village of Gassin itself. The estate is open every day of the week: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, and weekends and public holidays from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm (hours can shift seasonally, so it's worth checking ahead). The best time to visit runs from spring through early autumn, when the vineyards are green and the tasting terrace is in full swing — in summer, booking a visit slot ahead of time is a good idea given how busy the Saint-Tropez area gets.

Frequently asked questions

Is visiting Château Minuty free? Yes, the self-guided visit and basic tasting are free. A guided tour of the vineyard and cellars ends with a tasting of three wines.

How far is it from Saint-Tropez? The estate is located in the town of Gassin, right next to the Saint-Tropez peninsula, just a short drive of about fifteen minutes away.

What makes M Rosé different from Minuty's other wines? M Rosé is the flagship cuvée, bottled in the estate's signature corseted bottle, built mainly from Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah, known for its pale color and fresh, fruity-floral profile.

Can you buy wine on site? Yes, there is a shop at the estate, and orders placed online in advance can be collected on-site or delivered to your home.