But what of the reality of owning your own vineyard? There has probably never been a better time to make this dream a reality, at least in France. The Pound is now strengthening against the Euro and the French wine industry is only just starting to show some signs of recovery after the prolonged ‘crise viticole’, so vineyard land is relatively cheap. And, although French wines have taken a bit of a battering at the hands of the New World producers, there are clear signs that more and more people are rediscovering French wines. There is still no other country in the world  that can boast the variety and complexity that French wine has to offer – sparkling, sweet, dry, white, red and rose and a range of grape varieties probably only equalled by Italy

 

In the South of France you can buy a hectare (2.2 acres) of productive vines for less than 10,000 Euros, and the best quality ‘Cru’ vineyards planted to the most favoured grape varieties can be bought for around 25,000 Euros a hectare. So, in principle, a couple of hundred thousand Euros will buy you your wine making dream.

 

However, the realities of owning a vineyard are more challenging; the vines are just a starting point. You will need to buy or equip a winery with temperature controlled stainless steel vats and all the associated equipment required to make the clean, modern wine that the market (and your pallet) demand. You'll need to equip a barrel with new oak barrels to age your wine (600 Euros each!). You'll also need to tend your vines year round - you'll be at the vagaries of the climate, where a single hailstorm can wipe out a year's crop, a drought year can significantly reduce your yields, or a wet summer can promote mildew in the vines. You will need to pay for bottling and labels and have all your money tied up in stock until it is sold. For your top wines, it may be two or more years after the harvest before they are bottled and available for sale.

 

We have friends who own vineyards and are unequivocal in saying yes it is. The hard work, the considerable investment and the risk are all worthwhile to build an independent life, to grow, nurture and sell the product of your own labour. But for most of us without the resources necessary to set up on our own, there are ways of sharing in this experience. Vineyard Partners have teamed up with a small number of award winning vineyards in the Languedoc region in the South of France and can help you understand the story of wine from the grape to the glass and to learn more about the wine making process.

 

 

For further details visit www.vineyardpartners.com

or contact us on info@vineyardpartners.com

or on 0845 6521218 (charged at local call rates from UK land lines)