If you would love to have your very own property in Spain where you can cultivate grapevines and enjoy the fruits of your labour, you may be looking into the possibility of buying your own vineyard – or starting one from scratch.
Of course, buying a vineyard is slightly different to simply finding the perfect property in Spain and there are a number of things you will need to bear in mind, especially if you are intending to start from the beginning.
Finding the right property in Spain to set up a vineyard
Although you could buy an established vineyard, for many people this is likely to be too expensive, so the other option is to start your own.
The first thing to consider is the size of the property in Spain and associated land that you want to buy. There is no ideal size for a vineyard and you will have to make that decision based on how much work you want to put in.
It is always worth checking whether you would be able to buy adjacent plots of land in future should you wish to expand your vineyard once you are up and running.
Checking the quality and type of soil at the property in Spain you are considering is also advisable as this is a good way to assess how viable it would be to set up a vineyard in any given location.
You can then use this information to decide which type of grapevine you want to grow – and also which are most suitable for the conditions at your property in Spain.
Choosing the right grapes for your vineyard
Before you set out in search of a property in Spain for your vineyard, you may already have a particular grape variety in mind which you would like to grow.
There are currently approximately 146 types of grape cultivated in Spain for wine production, which gives you an idea of the scale of choice on offer.
Garnacha is the most popular variety of red grape, while Airen is one of the most commonly grown white grapes in the country.
Picking grapes for either red or white wine will help narrow down your options and the location of your property in Spain, as well as the climate it experiences and altitude at which it is situated will all have an impact on the type of vines you can grow effectively.
For example, vineyards at higher altitudes will need to cultivate grapevines that are resistant to frost. Sunlight is another consideration when choosing your property in Spain and you should ensure that your grapes will get enough sunshine to grow at their best.
Where should you buy property in Spain to set up a vineyard?
Spain is home to some of the world’s most famous wine producing regions, such as Rioja, Navarra and Ribera del Duero.
But you do not necessarily need to find a property in Spain in one of these locations as you are likely to discover that many rural regions will serve as an excellent base for your vineyard.
Of course, you may be influenced in your choice by your favourite tipple, in which case this could help to narrow down you search for the perfect place to plant your vines.
There are no hard-and-fast rules though and as a general rule, it is better to choose a Spanish property that has enough land to meet your needs and favourable growing conditions for the grape variety you have selected.
Other things to consider when buying a vineyard
Setting up a vineyard from scratch will take a lot of effort and hard work on your part and you need to be prepared for this when you set out to move to a property in Spain.
This can also be an expensive endeavour once you have accounted for not only the price of the land, but also the grapevines and equipment required to actually produce wine.
You should also be aware that it usually takes around five years before your vines will reach a suitable level of maturity to allow you to make wine, so you need to be in for the long haul so to speak if you want to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Buying equipment to help you harvest your grapes, press them and carry out the whole production and bottling process may also be expensive and you should allow for all of this in your budget if you want to start your own vineyard.
Of course, one of the advantages to buying a property in Spain and setting up a vineyard is that, after a few years, you should be able to earn an income from selling bottles of your tipple!