Cotes de Provence AOCGrenache, Cinsault, Rolle, Syrah, Tibouren45 haFounded 1201Moet Hennessy (LVMH) and Sacha LichineCotes de Provence
Sacha Lichine acquired Chateau d'Esclans at La Motte in 2006 and launched the Whispering Angel programme; LVMH's Moet Hennessy took majority control in 2019. The estate runs 45 hectares of vineyards within a 270-hectare property and has been a major commercial driver of the premium Provence rose category.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment Monday to Saturday; multiple flight options
Signature wines: Whispering Angel, Chateau d'Esclans Les Clans, Chateau d'Esclans Garrus, Chateau d'Esclans Rock Angel
Tip: Garrus, the top-of-range rose vinified in 600-litre oak demi-muids, is the estate's prestige cuvee.
Cotes de Provence AOC (Cru Classe 1955)Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvedre, Rolle, Tibouren69 haFounded 1850Moet Hennessy (LVMH)Winemaker Mathieu Meyer (estate director)ORGANIC CERTIFIEDCotes de Provence La Londe
Coastal Cru Classe estate at La Londe-les-Maures acquired by Moet Hennessy in 2019, the group's first Provence rose property. The estate runs 69 hectares of vineyard inside 77 hectares of protected woodland on the schist soils of the Massif des Maures.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by appointment
Signature wines: Galoupet Cru Classe Rose, Galoupet Nomade Rose
Tip: The estate has reoriented after the LVMH acquisition toward a sustainability-led Cru Classe rose programme using flat amber-glass bottles to reduce shipping weight.
Cotes de Provence AOC (Cru Classe 1955)Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Tibouren, Rolle200 haFounded 1936Matton family and Moet Hennessy (LVMH)Cotes de Provence
Cru Classe Cotes de Provence estate at Gassin on the Saint-Tropez peninsula, in the Matton family for four generations. Around 200 hectares of vineyard with annual rose production approaching 9 million bottles; LVMH took a majority stake in 2023.
Tasting: Monday to Friday 9am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 6pm; Saturday 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm
Signature wines: Minuty Prestige Rose, Chateau Minuty 281 Rose, Chateau Minuty Rose et Or, Chateau Minuty M de Minuty Rose
Tip: Minuty 281, named after the property's elevation, is the flagship prestige rose; the M de Minuty is the everyday entry point.
Cotes de Provence AOC (Cru Classe 1955)Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvedre, Tibouren, Rolle60 haFounded 1882Wemyss familyCotes de Provence
Cru Classe estate at Pignans, replanted after phylloxera by Augustin Isnard in 1882 and now in Scottish ownership (the Wemyss family) since 1988. 60 hectares of vineyard on the southern foothills of the Massif des Maures.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings; check estate website for current hours
Signature wines: Rimauresq R Cru Classe, Rimauresq Quintessence
Tip: The R Cru Classe range is the entry point; the small-lot Quintessence is the cellar pick.
Cotes de Provence AOC (Cru Classe 1955)Tibouren, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre17 haFounded 1797Roux familyCotes de Provence
Cru Classe at Le Pradet between Hyeres and Toulon, the Roux family in residence for five generations since 1797. 17 hectares overlooking the bay of Toulon, dominated by Tibouren, the heritage Provence grape vinified under flor in old foudres for the estate's signature savoury rose.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings; contact the estate to arrange
Signature wines: Cibonne Cuvee Tradition, Cibonne Cuvee Speciale, Cibonne Cuvee Prestige
Tip: The Cuvee Tradition is the textbook Tibouren rose; the Cuvee Speciale is the cellar candidate.
Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Tibouren, RolleWalk-ins welcomeLes Arcs-sur-Argens, Var
Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence flagship Maison on the RN7 at Les Arcs, pouring 800 Cotes de Provence wines from 250 producers in rotation.
Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, TibourenAppointment onlyLa Motte-en-Provence, Cotes de Provence
Chateau d'Esclans tasting cellar at La Motte (Sacha Lichine-founded 2006, LVMH-majority since 2019), walking through Whispering Angel, Rock Angel, Les Clans and the oak-aged Garrus prestige rose.
Grenache, Tibouren, Cinsault, Rolle, SyrahWalk-ins welcomeGassin, Saint-Tropez peninsula
Matton-Farnet family estate on the Gassin hills above Saint-Tropez bay, pouring the Prestige, M de Minuty and 281 cuvees from the historic Cru Classe vines.
Cotes de Provence AOCGrenache, Cinsault, Tibouren, SyrahEUR 14-18 retail
The entry rose of Chateau Minuty, a pale dry Provençal pink built on Grenache and Cinsault with Tibouren for southern aromatic lift. The reference value rose under twenty euros, broadly available in supermarkets and wine shops alike.
Tip: M de Minuty is the supermarket play; trade up to the slate-bottle Prestige cuvee at the cellar for a step up that still stays comfortably under twenty-five euros.
