Château Minuty

The Château Minuty where the history of the Matton-Farnet family

The acquisition by Gabriel Farnet

When Gabriel Farnet acquired the château Minuty in 1936, he already owned the Châteauneuf estate in Vidauban. Built under Napoleon III, the estate and its little chapel would give their name to the cuvée de l'Oratoire, which was for a long time the brand's emblematic bottle. Its distinctive belly shape was a resounding success, and many of the Côte d'Azur's palaces still have a few specimens.

At the end of the Second World War, Gabriel Farnet replanted the entire Château Minuty estate, restoring it to its former splendor after the harsh years of conflict. As a result, in 1955, it became one of only 23 properties to be distinguished as a Cru Classé des Côtes de Provence.

Restructuring by Monique and Étienne Matton

Gabriel's daughter Monique Farnet marries Étienne Matton. When they took over Château Minuty, they decided to restructure the estate. The first vines selected were traditional Provencal grape varieties, such as Rolle, Grenache or Tibouren. Quantities were reasoned, in order to bank on quality and focus on high-end vinification.

The next generation with Jean-Etienne and François Matton

The couple hands over the estate to Jean-Étienne and François Farnet Matton, who continue to renovate the vineyard. The Carignan and Ugni Blanc were replaced by more Grenache and Rolle, and production tools were modernized. The two operators have placed great emphasis on commercial development, and the vin du Château Minuty is now distributed throughout France, of course, but also in over 100 countries worldwide.

In 2012, extensive work was carried out. A second barrel cellar was created, and the tasting cellar was refurbished. Thanks to the help of architects and designers, a better welcome has been reserved for visitors, as well as for professionals, who now have their own meeting and tasting room.

Château Minuty, a unique vineyard on the Saint Tropez peninsula

The Saint Tropez peninsula offers exceptional exposure to the vineyard of Château Minuty. The ceps are lined up on the hillsides of the villages overlooking the Gulf of Saint Tropez, Ramatuelle and Gassin. A temperate maritime climate bathes the estate, which is separated into three parts: 60 hectares in a single block around the Château de Minuty on schistose limestone soils, 20 hectares on the Valderian hillsides in Ramatuelle, whose view over the Bay of Pampelonne impresses with its majesty, and 80 hectares on clay-limestone soils in Vidauban.

The Grenache loves the deep, pebble-free soils of the terroir that surrounds the château. The Syrah and Mourvèdre thrive best on plots with south-western exposures that allow them to benefit from the sun. Rolle finds its place on the more stony limestone slopes that help it express its minerality.

With the influence of the sea always nearby, the wine carries marine flavors. The sea breeze limits the risk of disease by drying vine leaves impregnated by dewdrops or rain.

Ecological agriculture, an immutable principle for Château Minuty

Château Minuty offers wines made from Grenache, the "king of rosés", and Tibouren, the grape variety that puts its stamp on the Saint Tropez peninsula. The red wine comes from the terres de schistes bordering the Mediterranean, where Mourvèdre and Syrah flourish. Rolle is used to produce white wine.

Farming with the environment in mind

The Farnet Matton family has always attached great importance to travail du sol respecting traditions and limiting to the extreme the use of chemical fertilizers and weedkillers. Soils are enriched by the addition of natural goat and sheep manures, which provide the organic matter needed to enrich the soil.

The soil is worked so that it is aerated and micro-organisms circulate and reproduce in abundance. This preparation allows for much better irrigation, while roots easily find their way deep down and can then fetch water when drought strikes.

Without pesticides or weedkillers, a lush ecosystem endures in this environment surrounded by wooded areas.

Manual harvest at Château Minuty

It's rare enough to mention it, but the harvest at Château Minuty is entirely by hand. The grapes arrive at the winery in perfect condition, and no other plant matter appears in the must.

Chateau Minuty red, white and rosé wines

Château Minuty 281

The Château Minuty 281 represents the brand's emblematic wine. 281 is the pantone code that defines the blue of the bottle for this exceptional cuvée. Produced in small volumes, 281 is made from Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. It has a pale color, crystalline highlights and a complex, intense nose. Fine aromas of white-fleshed fruit are peppered with iodine notes that sublimate it. Its mouth is deep and always a little mineral.

The Château Minuty 281 rosé finds its best place alongside roasted langoustines, Saint Pierre with fennel or scallop risotto.

Château Minuty Or

The Château Minuty Or range comprises a trilogy of colors - white, rosé and red - developed by Jean-Étienne and François Matton.

The Blanc et Or blends Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, which was planted by the generation that preceded them. The Rouge et Or and Rose et Or have since been added to the Château Minuty range of excellence.

This collection is complemented by the Minuty Prestige and Minuty M line of branded wines, the pleasure wines, also available in the three dresses, white, rosé or red.