In Monaco, some addresses have always been part of the landscape. Grands Chais Monegasques is one of those you know without necessarily grasping the history within its walls. I discovered this myself a few years ago and shared that feeling with you in an earlier piece, “Life is too short to drink bad wine.” Today, this century-old institution opens a new chapter and simply becomes GCM. An evolution that marks far more than a name change. It’s a true reinvention, built around experience, legacy and the art of living.
The story begins in the early 1900s, when Mr. Ginocchio founded a wine trading house near what would become Monaco’s port. Awarded a Gold Medal at the 1909 Paris International Exhibition, the house gradually established itself as a reference before becoming, in 1943, the Grands Chais Franco-Monegasques. More than a century later, the DNA of the place remains intact: a passion for wine passed down from generation to generation. Today, under the leadership of Sebastien Dameno, representing the third generation of the family, GCM is looking to the future while preserving its heritage.
The big new addition? The Salon GCM. I particularly loved this idea of transforming a historic cellar into an intimate living space. Here, you don’t simply come to buy a bottle. You take the time to discover a vintage, understand its story, and talk with a sommelier in a warm setting where old stone, weathered wood and soft lighting come together.
With more than 3,000 references in wines and spirits, every tasting becomes a tailor-made experience. It’s all paired with a selection of refined bites: cured meats, seasonal cheeses, foie gras, Mediterranean specialties, and even caviar for those chasing the finest pairings.
In a Principality where luxury is now experienced as much through moments as through objects, the Salon GCM naturally finds its place. To me, it’s an address that perfectly embodies this new vision of luxury: more intimate, more authentic, and deeply rooted in emotion.
Agathe’s little tip: even if you don’t think of yourself as a connoisseur, push open the door of the Salon GCM. The appeal of this place isn’t only in the exceptional bottles it holds, but in the stories they tell. And sometimes, the best discoveries simply start with a conversation over a glass.
11 Rue Baron de Sainte-Suzanne – +377 93 30 26 80 – info@grandschais.com – www.gcm.wine – Monday to Saturday: 8am – 7pm – Closed Sunday.
Salon GCM (tasting space): The Salon GCM welcomes visitors Monday to Saturday until 10pm for tastings, events and private hire.
