Travel book · Côte d'Azur

Château Minuty in Gassin: 80 years of the Matton-Farnet family, Cru Classé since 1955

By the AEC Collection team Updated on 28 May 2026 3 min read

Perched in the heights of Gassin, in the Saint-Tropez peninsula, Château Minuty is one of eighteen (later twenty-three) estates to have been awarded the Cru Classé designation in Côtes-de-Provence in 1955. It is also, eighty years on, one of the finest family sagas in the Provençal vineyard, a house that has never left the same family since its acquisition by Gabriel Farnet in 1936.

The 70 hectares of vines, planted on steep slopes across schist and micaschist soils facing the Bay of Saint-Tropez, give the estate its signature: a distinctly marine influence evident in the wines, with a freshness that contrasts with the heat of the Var summer.

Four generations of Matton-Farnet

Gabriel Farnet acquired the estate in 1936, in a Var that was still largely devoted to viticulture and before the peninsula became the fashionable destination it is known as today. In the 1960s, his daughter Monique Farnet and her husband Étienne Matton undertook a profound restructuring of the vineyard: replanting, varietal selection, and modernisation of the winery, at a time when Provence rosé production was beginning its commercial expansion.

In the 1990s, Jean-Étienne and François Matton, sons of Monique and Étienne, took the reins in turn. It was their generation that positioned Minuty among the most recognised Provence brands internationally, whilst maintaining its local anchor. The house remains family-owned in the strictest sense.

The range: from Cru Classé to 281

The historic cuvée, Château Minuty Rosé and Blanc, upholds the Cru Classé identity: a blend of grenache, cinsault, syrah and tibouren (emblematic varietal of the Var terroir). It is the wine that justified the 1955 classification and remains the house’s internal benchmark.

The 281 cuvée, recognisable by its blue bottle, is the most emblematic of recent production. It comes from a rigorous parcel selection of grenache, from clones exclusive to the estate and cultivated in the front line facing the sea. The name “281” refers to the altitude (and latitude) of the selected parcels. A refined, saline wine with a more restrained aromatic profile than mainstream rosés, often served in Michelin-starred dining.

Other cuvées (M de Minuty, Rosé et Or, Prestige) complete the range at varying price and complexity levels.

Wine tourism: visits and tastings

The estate is open for visits by appointment. The standard visit includes a walk through the vineyard, a presentation of the winery and cellars, and a guided tasting of 3 to 5 cuvées depending on the format. Several options are available: short visit (1 hour), in-depth visit with tasting (2 hours), blending workshops in very small groups.

Notre-Dame de Minuty chapel, situated on the estate, is one of the most photographed points on the peninsula, its solitary cypress tree having become a recognisable visual symbol. Visitors may approach it as part of the estate visit.

Saint-Tropez

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When to visit

Harvesting generally takes place between late August and mid-September, depending on the vintage. It is a lively period at the estate, but reserved primarily for the production team. For a peaceful visit, aim for June or the second fortnight of September, less crowded than July-August, still favourable climate, and golden light across the vines.

Planning a stay on the peninsula

AEC Collection selects and represents prestigious villas and houses in Gassin, Ramatuelle and Saint-Tropez. Visits and tastings can be reserved directly with Château Minuty.