UK buyers get a taste for foreign climes

Villas or chateaux in warm foreign climes with access to their own vineyards have become increasingly popular with British holiday home seekers and retirees over the past couple of years, with searches for these properties rising to make up 16% of all ‘key word searches’ for lifestyle and pursuits related homes in July 2009, according to Primelocation International.

Searches on the site for properties with vineyards were negligible five years ago, but have climbed steadily since, rising almost 3% over the past year, from 13.4% in July 08 to 16.1% in July 09, with France, Italy and California in the US ranking as the most popular locations for these homes.

As properties with access to skiing and golf facilities continue to dominate ‘key word searches’, making up over 60% of the total, the growing interest in vineyards is significant, says Primelocation International.

The portal’s agents marketing properties in the wine regions report that the increase in interest has been particularly noticeable among those of or approaching retirement age. Younger couples aspiring to own a vineyard often plan to move on a more permanent basis as part of a lifestyle change. To cater for the changing tastes, vineyard estates have begun to create purpose-built developments.

Ann Wright, International Development Manager of Primelocation International, comments: “Properties with vineyards have seen a substantial rise in popularity over the past few years, as an aging population with an increasingly sophisticated taste looks to buy abroad. This is a trend that we expect to see continue, as the attractive lifestyle associated with a love of food and wine finds a niche among the favourite pursuits of golf, skiing and sailing.

“Developments on Europe’s great wine estates have already begun to cater for this relatively new preference, offering the owners of the vineyards’ renovated manor houses, chateaux and cottages the opportunity to get involved in wine production, tasting and events, as well as to enjoy a share of the produce.

“To assist a growing number of potential buyers in their search for overseas homes that cater for popular lifestyles and pursuits such as golf, sailing and wine, Primelocation International added custom-made search buttons to the site in July, linking straight through to properties with golf courses, marinas and vineyards.”

Vineyard developments in France - Chateau des Carasses, in the Languedoc region of France, is a small, upmarket development located on a once-thriving wine estate. The 19th century chateau has been converted into 28 apartments, priced from €608,000, and owners are entitled to a share of the annual wine harvest, estimated at 40 to 50 cases, along with cellaring facilities. The properties are being marketed by being marketed by Jackson-Stops & Staff.

Vineyard developments in Italy - Castello di Casole is a 4,200 acre estate in Tuscany, Italy, allowing buyers to purchase one of the restored farmhouse villas outright from €3.7m, or on a fractional basis from €290,000 for a one-twelfth share. Owners can participate in all aspects of the wine-making process and enjoy wine-tasting events, wine-maker dinners, visits to wineries in the neighbouring regions, and the estate's own special reserve label, Dodici. Properties at Castello di Casole are available through Aylesford International.

For more information, visit primelocation.com.