Nestled Above Saint-Tropez~

Restaurant La Verdoyante

Above Saint-Tropez Bay

The the vineyards of Château Minuty

Proprietors of La Verdoyante

Gassin, France

From le chef de cuisine, Laurent Mouret

Wines of Château Minuty

Do gods and angels smile on the ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’ perched on a rocky hilltop in Provence just two miles above Saint-Tropez? I believe so.

Gassin is a quaint nest of stone homes with the 1890 winery La Verdoyante playing an inspiring role. The seaview property passed through family generations before a 1979 rebirth as a restaurant with Chef Fernand Mouret and wife Mireille, daughter of a Lyonnais Chef...at the helm. Their offspring, Laurent and Julien Mouret ‘…caught the passion of the kitchen and made it our trade.’

In 2004, the parents retired and Laurent returned to ‘The Verdant’ after a decade of honing his skills in the finest restaurants. Reviews resoundingly approved the results.

Dining en plein air is de rigueur with spirit nurturing vineyard views and the white sailboats gliding on the blue bay. As Laurent poetically states, “The luminosity of the seasons and nature give to each meal one single and privileged moment.” 

Another Gassin treasure is--Château Minuty—one of 23 Cru Classé des Côtes de Provence wineries.

Decades ago when Etienne Matton married Monique Farnet he also fell in love with the wine world. For thirty years he was the President of the Crus Classés de Provence, following in his father-in-law’s footsteps. He and his wife furthered the venture that her family secured in 1936…and now their two sons are “continuing the adventure.” 

When I saw Etienne Matton’s picture—my heart literally skipped—because his presence is precisely how I’ve envisioned my ‘French Heart’ grandfather character, Alain. 

It’s a thrilling small miracle to happen upon the owner of a fine winery in the same area and of the same multi-generational character as the French Heart winery in my novel. And a bit startling to believe that kind, wise 'Alain' in reality ‘exists'. Gassin is truly my latest favorite French dish.

Happy Le Weekend! (HERE)