If you have always wanted to own a property in France complete with its own vineyard, you will discover that you can make your dreams a reality – usually with a bit of hard work!
There are many options when it comes to owning a French vineyard, which means that it could be more accessible than you first imagined. If starting from scratch seems a bit daunting then you should look into some of the other ways in which you can buy a vineyard – or part of one – to enjoy when you spend time in your property in France.
How can I go about purchasing a vineyard in France?
The first thing you will need to decide is whether you want to start from scratch with your vineyard, or would prefer to purchase one that is already established.
If you decide to develop your own vineyard, there are certain French legal procedures that you should be aware of. One of the most important of these is to get permission from the Societe d’Amenagement Foncier et d’Establissement Rural (SAFER).
This is the country’s agricultural commission and under French law, SAFER must approve any sale of agricultural land that is greater in size than one hectare. In addition, you will need to receive permission from the local authorities to plant vines, so you should do your research before you go down this route.
A more straightforward – although generally more expensive – option is to buy an established vineyard.
Tending and looking after a vineyard attached to a property in France can be a laborious and time-consuming process, so you may need to look into the possibility of hiring workers to assist you.
It’s a great idea to talk to your neighbours to get some advice, as many farmers in France have experience of growing grapes. You will also need to ensure you have access to all the equipment necessary to look after and pick the grapes, whether you buy it yourself or come to an agreement with a local farmer who can help you tend your vines.
A final – and relatively affordable – way to get into winemaking in France is to purchase rows of vines in an established vineyard.
This has the added advantage that you can buy the vines wherever you want – they will not necessarily need to be close to your property in France. And you will be rewarded for your stake with bottles of wine, without having to put in the long hours to produce it!
Where can I find a vineyard to buy?
There are numerous wine-producing regions in France and while you may initially be drawn to the most famous – such as Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy – you are likely to find that these are prohibitively expensive when it comes to buying a French property with a vineyard.
However, you could find that the south of France offers some more realistic options. Areas such as Provence and Languedoc are a good place to start looking, according to a post on Living France.
If you are not buying an established vineyard, but are hoping to begin your own, you should pay a wine expert to visit the land before you purchase it to ensure that it is suitable for cultivating grapes and to discover which appellations will perform best in the location.
This could save you a lot of time and money further down the line, so it is something worth considering.
You should also think carefully about the size of the vineyard you buy – if you are planning to do most of the work yourself, make sure it is not unmanageable and that you will be able to tend all your grapes properly.
Although the initial outlay for buying land to create a vineyard may be cheaper than purchasing an established estate, you must take the cost of acquiring the necessary equipment into account, as well as the time it will take for your grapes to reach an age when they can be used for wine production.