Through the Grapevine

When thinking of world-class wine, France sits comfortably at the top of the list. Trevor Leggett, Chairman of Leggett Immobilier, tells Stephen Penn how the past few years have seen a resurgence of interest in vineyard estates.

“Wine is a source of wonder and delight ... it reflects the true personality of its producer.” These charming words are the foundation behind the success of Leggett Immobilier, which prides itself on enhancing France’s Vineyard industry by offering exciting prospects for alternative investment.

Each year, France has 10 million wine tourists, a real vote of confidence for the sector, and this surge in interest has been noted by Trevor Leggett, Chairman of the company which has been voted the Best Real Estate Agency in France for the past 5 years.

The prestige behind the French grape is undeniable, and attracts investors from all corners of the globe. The latest purchase being talked about in Bordeaux is the sale of Château Vieux Paquillin, in Saint Emilion, a 12.6 hectare estate which reportedly sold to an Australian investor for over €2million.

The buyer, who wished to remain anonymous, declared that ‘Australia is having a love affair with Bordeaux and its wines at the moment’, demonstrating that more Australians could be heading to the French Vineyard market.

But Australians are not alone in their passion for the French wine scene, as China’s fondness for Bordeaux wines has been developing for some time. “Their purchasing of vineyards is still accelerating, with buyers snapping up some of the most expensive, classified estates in the region,” explains Trevor, “With over 100 wine estates acquired to date – Chinese investors now make up 40% of all buyers.”

Last year, sales to international house buyers rose by 12% in Aquitaine alone, much of this fuelled by British buyers and a ‘Brexit backlash’ where buyers are keen to move before the transition deadline kicks in in December 2020.

It’s not solely an international story, however, as the French domestic market has become particularly strong over the last year. “Our team has received enquiries for properties across France and we have had to employ extra staff to cope,” says Trevor. “These are not ‘window shoppers’ either, as our current sales pipeline stands at 7.4m euros compared to 5.9m last year, up 24%, and 5.1m in 2016, up by 45%.”

To stay ahead of the game, Leggett have an expert team on board, including in-house vineyard expert, Xavier Routurier, an Agronomist (soil specialist) and Oenologist (expert wine maker) with an extensive family history of winemaking in the well-respected “Côtes-de-Bourg” area of the Gironde.

Thanks to his extensive travels to vineyards throughout the world, he brings unrivalled knowledge and experience of wine making to enthusiasts and professional winemakers alike looking to buy a vineyard in France.

“I enjoy sharing my passion for wine with buyers who are about to embark on their own adventure,” says Xavier. “A vineyard can combine good returns with an enviable lifestyle.”

To find out more about how Leggett Immobilier can help you find the perfect vineyard estate, visit www.leggettprestige.com.