The Poetry of Wine in Monaco

More than a century after its founding, Grands Chais Monégasques is embarking on a new chapter in its history. Long dedicated to the sale of exceptional wines and spirits, the historic house is becoming GCM and will officially open its doors at the Salon GCM on April 3, 2026. This innovative concept transforms the century-old cellar into a truly intimate salon, where wine is experienced, discussed, and shared in a rare sensory and emotional journey.

A history rooted in 1900
It all began in the early 1900s when Monsieur Ginocchio, a Monegasque merchant, founded a wine business near the future port of Monaco. Awarded a Gold Medal at the 1909 Paris International Exposition, the company experienced remarkable growth. In 1943, it became Les Grands Chais Franco-Monégasques, actively contributing to the development of the French wine trade in the Principality.

Modernized in the 1980s while preserving its identity, the winery solidified its local roots in 2014 by adopting the name Les Grands Chais Monégasques (GCM). Today, GCM distributes its wines to Monaco's most prestigious establishments while cultivating a privileged relationship with a loyal private clientele of over ten years. The company has thus established itself as a leading name in fine wines and rare spirits.

The third generation now embodies the continuity of this family legacy. At its helm, Sébastien Dameno brings a respectful yet bold perspective to the place. "My Proustian madeleine is the smell of a bottle of wine breaking on the cellar floor..." he confides with emotion. This visceral image reveals the deep attachment of an heir who has become a custodian, nourished by the memories, the gestures, and the aromas of a place steeped in history.

The GCM Salon: A New Wine Experience
With the GCM Salon, the house has moved from a traditional wine merchant model to an immersive experience designed for a luxury clientele seeking emotion and moments of pure delight. The layout has been completely redesigned: beneath century-old casks, in a setting that blends ancient stone, patinated wood, and soft lighting, the space offers an atmosphere that is both elegant and relaxed, conducive to discovery and conversation.
Visitors are invited to slow down and savor the moment. Accompanied by an expert sommelier, they can freely select from over 3,000 rare wines and spirits, carefully preserved in the historic cellar. Each bottle is presented and served with respect for its history and vintage.

The experience continues at the table with a refined selection of exceptional dishes designed to enhance the tasting experience:
• Exceptional cured meats from Maison Duler (aged up to 70 months)
• Cheeses matured according to the season
• IGP foie gras and gourmet specialties
• Mediterranean selection (tapenades, artichokes, anchovy paste, etc.)

A unique experience in Monaco

"We wanted to respond to evolving expectations in the world of luxury," explains Sébastien Dameno. "While the purchase of goods tends to decrease, experiences are becoming increasingly important. With the GCM Wine Fair, we offer precisely that: discovering a vintage, understanding its history, being guided by a sommelier... and enjoying a complete wine experience."
GCM's strengths rest on three pillars:
• An exceptional heritage: the oldest wine cellar in Monaco, with a unique location steeped in history.

• A remarkable selection: more than 3,000 rare wines and spirits.

• A tailor-made experience: personalized guidance in a confidential and immersive setting.

"It is a place filled with history." said Sébastien Dameno. "There are still wine traces here from 1900.. we have a medal for this place at an exhibition in Paris, a medal that dates from 1908. With the stables behind, with the rings attached to the draft horses could transport the wine in Monaco. When I was little, we used to do wine here , we used to finish the vinification here, with wine coming especially from the North Africa, Algeria and the region. It was not the most qualitative wine, it was more a thirst wine, a wine that allowed people from neighbourhood in Monaco to have a drink. People used to come, also, with their canister to fill it with wine. The habits were different. They used to drink in larger quantities and less qualitative. Now things are different, we drink less and more qualitative... Now people want to be more educated on the subject, they want to live an experience." 

What makes the GCM Salon unique in Monaco is the opportunity to experience a timeless moment in the heart of a historic wine cellar. Visitors come not just to taste wine, but to understand its origin, evolution, and soul. Heritage and modernity meet harmoniously, creating a rare sensory interlude where wine is not simply consumed, but fully experienced. Blending family history and contemporary ambition, the GCM Salon is establishing itself as a new must-attend event for wine lovers and enthusiasts in Monaco. Official opening: April 3, 2026. A place where the passion for wine is shared, felt, and becomes an integral part of the Monegasque way of life.