Have you always dreamed of owning a winery? Do you plan to wander—hand outstretched—through your own emerald and ochre vines one day soon? Or open a chardonnay or merlot from your latest batch when your friends come over for dinner? Well, in 2019 there are two ways of achieving this
The first is the normal route, the second is somewhat more unusual. Happily for traditionalists, buying your own vineyard has never been easier—although economic and climatic uncertainties mean you need to choose well.
Here are some of the best options in the market at the moment:
France
Renowned for both its extraordinary vineyards and famously fertile soil, France is also known for its bureaucracy (a French word, naturellement). However, the country is now packed with specialist notaries fluent in English, Spanish and even Mandarin to make vineyard purchases—and taking care of all that pesky paperwork—as painless as possible.
French vineyards (except for hotspots like Champagne and the best sites in Bordeaux, Burgundy and the northern Rhône) still offer very good value for foreign investors and produce some of the best wine in the world.
Go slightly off the beaten track to Muscadet and Beaujolais where vineyards (complete with a chateau or two) are wonderfully affordable and offer a fabulous way of life.