CHATEAU MINUTY
They know a thing or three about rosé at the restaurants on the French Riviera. Maybe it’s in the blood; it’s certainly in the glasses. So when an estate builds a reputation as being particularly beloved and poured at all the finest establishments in Saint-Tropez, there are few higher marks of respect. Château Minuty, under the Matton-Farnet family since 1936, has reached that echelon of quality through attention to detail and meticulous care and custodianship.
On the hillsides above the villages of Gassin and Ramatuelle, the Minuty estate looks out over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, benefiting both from the Mediterranean sun and the moderating influence of cooler sea breezes.
Grenache, as you’d expect deep in the South of France, is widespread across Minuty’s one hundred and sixty-odd hectares of vineyard, especially in the estate vineyard surrounding the château itself. Friendly blending fellows Syrah and Mourvèdre are planted across the vineyards and are key parts of the blending process for both red and rosé. Local Provencal varieties Tibouren and Rolle also have a home, key parts of the region’s typicity and history.
None of these plantings are by accident, but are in fact the result of a generational effort to restore and improve the property. Gabriel Farnet, after acquiring Minuty in ’36, actually replanted the entire estate. Gabriel’s efforts were continued by his daughter, Monique, and her husband Etienne Matton. The pair took special care to replant the traditional varieties of Provence, replacing more neutral, higher-yielding grapes like Ugni Blanc.
The passionate pursuit of excellence and quality over quantity would prove fruitful, and these days Château Minuty produce dry red and white wines, but are truly world renowned for their range of rosé.
The Minuty M is classic Provence, full bodied, dry and refreshingly pure. Made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Tibouren, it is also an excellent food wine – try it with prawns or a fresh Caprese salad. The bottles are easily recognizable for their tall, slender shape, and are also iconic for Limited Edition collaborations on their labels. Every year Minuty partner with a different artist to dress their bottles, which have become quite collectible.
Château Minuty’s signature wine is the Rosé Et Or. This is only ever produced in very small quantities, entirely hand harvested and from 100% free run juice. Full, crisp and powerful, the Rosé Et Or is elegance bottled.
