Rosé All Day: Where to Wine Taste Near Saint-Tropez

If there’s a drink that defines the French Riviera, it’s a chilled glass of rosé. It’s not only the unofficial elixir of southern France, it’s also refreshing and the perfect shade of pink, the color of summer itself, though no one will stop you from drinking it any time of year.

The Côtes de Provence AOC, spanning sun-drenched hills and limestone soils between the Maures and Ésterel mountains, produces some of the most iconic rosé wine in the world. Fresh and delicate, kissed with notes of Provencal citrus, wild herbs, and stone fruit, French Riviera rosé wines are crafted with pedigree and elegance that pair perfectly with the lifestyle.

The best part is…it’s everywhere, from grocery stores to boutique shops to wineries themselves, happy to let you sip and savor the taste of the region. I stock up when I go, so I always have a bottle au frais, as they say.

There are numerous wineries near Saint-Tropez and along the French Riviera, all offering high-quality wines to try.

My best advice: Look for ones that are easy to get to, especially during high season, and offer more than just wine tasting. Consider estates with beautiful grounds, tours, rich history, cooking classes, or other unique experiences.

Here are some of my favorite rose experiences.

It’s nice when my daughter is our designated driver and wine sherpa

Château Minuty

Just about 10 minutes from Saint-Tropez (with no traffic, of course), this is a French Riviera rosé icon, and this is what I usually stash in my fridge (in case you drop by for apéro). Their Prestige and M cuvées are often poured by the magnum at Saint-Tropez beach clubs and restaurants, but you will also find Minute on many menus around the French Riviera, and in grocery stores and wine shops too.

You can visit the estate for a tasting and shopping.

Outdoor dining with the restaurant’s manager at Chateau Les Preyres

Château les Preyres

This was a new discovery for me this year. I passed it on the way to my house in Sainte-Maxime (just off the A8 motorway if you’re driving in) and watched it being built from the ground up. A summer heat wave sent me in search of a cool (literally) destination to take some visiting friends, and voilà—their modern, air-conditioned tasting room was the answer. Low key, delicious, and just want the doctor ordered.

I booked a tasting that included four of their organic AOC Côte de Provence wines, accompanied by cheeses and charcuterie, and it was not only beautifully presented, but the host was generous with her time and info about the wines being poured. It was a pleasant way to beat the heat, but I can also see this being a go-to on a rainy day, too, since it’s open year-round.

Tip: Chateau de Preyres features a high-quality on-site restaurant, La Table du Chateau Les Preyres, with a friendly staff, fresh Mediterranean cuisine, and indoor-outdoor dining. I went for lunch but you can also drop by for a drink and live music on weekend evenings

Château Barbeyrolles

Located on the Saint-Tropez peninsula below the village of Gassin, the winery is as pretty as a picture.

Tastings are by drop-in for a sampling of three wines (no fee, no reservation). By reservation for a tasting of five wines accompanied by some nibbles (€10 per person), or as a combination of a tasting and a tour of the cellars (€20 per person), very reasonably priced for someone who is used to the cost of tasting in Napa Valley.

Pétale de Rose is their signature rosé wine, as pink and delicate as a kitten’s nose, and easily drinkable all day.

Wine taste around Saint-Tropez in a vintage 2CV (named Paulette) with Beyond the Wine. Photo from BeyondTheWine.fr

Beyond the Wine Tours

If you want someone to do all the planning and logistics heavy lifting (I’m a big fan of this while on vacation), check out Beyond the Wine Tours.

They specialize in the Saint-Tropez area and have some super fun options, like horseback riding in the vineyards, a cooking class and languid lunch at Domaine de Bourrian, and my personal favorite, a 2CV tour through the vineyards of Saint-Tropez with a driver and tasting of 6-8 wines. This is the one not to miss in my opinion.

Want to go a little further and create a bespoke wine tasting tour of Saint-Tropez and the French Riviera? NO problem. They do that too!

Château des Marres

Though it’s only open between mid-April and the end of September, this winery, which is very close to Saint-Tropez, is worth putting on your must-visit list.

You can book tastings Tuesday through Friday mornings and afternoons, depending on group size, and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Or, if you’ve hit the Pampelonne beach clubs all day and want to continue the Saint-Tropez sun savoring, book a table at Le1907, their wine bar in the middle of the vines. It’s heaven on earth, with good rosé, pétanque, and joie de vivre galore. FYI: closed on Wednesdays, but check ahead to be sure.

Enjoy Saint-Tropez wine at its best at Château des Marres’ Le 1907 wine bar. Photo by chateaudeasmarres.com

Read about my favorite hotels in Saint-Tropez

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