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 Deep down in the south of France, Languedoc-Roussillon is the world’s single largest wine-producing region. It also boasts over 300 days of sunshine per annum and unsurprisingly, the region is a huge magnet to Brits, who have been snapping up homes like hot cakes since the late 1990s.
Properties with “en-suite” vineyards have particularly found favour with English speakers; according to Adam Dakin of Vignobles Investissement, an estate agency specialised in vineyard transactions, anglophone clients are right up there when it comes to acquiring vineyards.
So who’s been shopping for Languedoc vines?
- Robert Eden, nephew of former UK Prime Minister Anthony Eden, has bought no less than five properties in five different Languedoc appellations, including his flagship Château Maris in Minervois la Livinière.
- Sir John Hegarty, recently-knighted founder of London ad agency Bartle, Bogle and Hegarty, acquired Domaine de Chamans in Minervois and is now a leading Languedoc wine producer.
- Superdrug supremo Fred Brown bagged Domaine de la Sauvageonne and its magnificent terroir at Saint Jean de la Blaquière, in the Coteaux du Languedoc appellation.
- In 2002, the Grant family (of the famous whisky brand) took over the Domaine Ste Rose, in Servian.
- City financier Graham Nutter is now running Domaine de Saint Jacques d’Albas in Laure Minervois.
- Anglophone hit composer/songwriter Rob Dougan (he wrote the Matrix soundtrack as well as tracks for Kylie and U2) bought 10 hectares of the best possible Languedoc terroir, near Aniane, in 2005 and is now making exceptional vintages.
- Jon and Liz Bowen make their own wine at Domaine Sainte-Croix, in the heart of the Corbières
- Former accountant Peter Munday and his wife Susan (an ex- Nestlé marketer) now make award-winning wine at Domaine des Chandelles, in Barbaira (Aude)
- Former anthropologist and bee-keeper Nick Bradford and his wife Clare own Domaine des Pensées Sauvages at Albas (Durban-Corbières)
- London School of Economics graduate Robert Cripps and his American-born wife Kim have been running Domaine du Poujol at Vailhauques since 1994.
- Young Brits with a background in finance, ex-Londoners Robin and Liz Williamson bought Domaine de Saumarez at Murviel-les-Montpellier in 2004
- Former city finance player James Kinglake is the owner of Domaine Bégude, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, where he and his wife Catherine make organic wines
What’s prompted this wave of anglophone investment to wash over Languedoc vines?
- The weather (there’s lots of sun in Languedoc; the Mediterranean climate is refreshed by the Tramontane and Mistral winds).
- The landscape (think sandy beaches, the Med, rocky garrigue dotted with oaks, olive trees, thyme and rosemary - and vines as far as the eye can see).
- Ryanair and its low-cost flights into no less than four Languedoc cities (Nîmes, Montpellier, Carcassonne and Perpignan) – for information about flights to Languedoc see https://creme-de-languedoc.com/Languedoc/flights/index.php
And here’s the closer: buying a Languedoc wine domaine represents an interesting financial investment with a strong viticultural potential, in an attractive environment, at accessible prices.
Fancy a piece of the grapevine action? Check out specialist site www.vignobles-investissement-com
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