The Domaine du Clos des Menuts is considered today as a unique winemaking institution. To better understand the foundations of this success, we must go back to the year 1538, the date of the first written record attesting to the sale of a barrel of wine by the religious union of the Frères Mineurs ("Fray Menuts" in Gascony) of the order of Saint François d’Assise, also known as Cordeliers (Corde Lies). The name of Frères Mineurs was chosen in reference to the "least among us" mentioned in the Gospels (Mt 25:40-45).
It is thus for more than 470 years that the passion for the Earth and Wine has been combined in this unique place. Today, the estate belongs to the RIVIERE family, after Jean Edmond Andrieu (who acquired it in 1895) donated it to his son-in-law Pierre RIVIERE in 1956.
Since the Clos des Menuts has been an integral part of this family, everything has been done to enhance and develop this prestigious estate. Today, it extends over 25 hectares close to the ramparts of the medieval town, mainly to the west of the village. The privileged location of the Clos des Menuts vines combined with the complexity of the soils and sub-soils of this vineyard contribute greatly to the production of a unique wine; a reflection of the quality of perfectly complementary terroirs. Everything is done here to ensure that the 85% Merlot, blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc are able to produce the highest quality grapes possible.