Grape expectations: These are the best properties with vineyards

In London, they say you’re never more than six feet from a rat (or, nowadays, a Johnson family member). Which is all the more reason, perhaps, to leave the capital. Conversely, at Gentleman’s Journal, we prefer that our place of residence is never more than six feet from a world-class winemaking facility. It’s a caveat stipulated in a lot of our contracts, actually, which may be why our copy gets so florid come Friday afternoon. So we rather like the idea of investing in a property that comes ready-equipped with its own vineyard — and we’ve picked a few that fit the bill pretty neatly.

Whether you’d prefer to survey your plantation from atop a rolling Tuscan hill or from the stark comfort of a modernist Portuguese villa, here are our favourite properties on the market right now which promise to keep you nicely oiled.

Set on the hills dividing Lucca from the Versilia coast, this stunning estate offers sweeping views of the spectacular surrounding countryside and across the sea. With 22 hectares of grounds, including an olive grove and no fewer than three vineyards, this estate is the perfect investment for the more green-fingered homeowner. Give it a year or two, and you might even have yourself a whole new source of income from the land.

Bed: 19, Baths: 17, Price: €5,000,000, Location: Lucca, Tuscany, Features: Swimming pool, staff accommodation, stables, olive grove, private water source. knightfrank.com

This extraordinary French château might easily have been plucked straight from a fairy tale. Built in honey-coloured stone and rising majestically from the flank of a hill, the Midi-Pyrénées property was once owned by d’Artagnan’s uncle, and Wellington is even reputed to have stayed here on his advance towards Toulouse. A treat for nature lovers, the wooded ridges just beyond the vineyard are replete with birds of prey, wild boar, game birds and deer.

Baths: 10, Price: €2,090,000, Location: Gers, Midi-Pyrénées, Features: Swimming pool, secondary accommodation, listed pigeonnier, 14 hectares wooded estate. knightfrank.com

If you prefer your properties a little less cosy and a little more contemporary, then this fabulous villa of modern architecture, set among 3,000 sqm of land just 30 minutes outside of Lisbon might just be your dream home. The house, designed by the architect Augusto Paiágua, is not only visually spectacular, but is located in a prime position in one of the most beautiful wine-growing areas of the Tagus. The land here is cultivated for apples, grapes, figs, and the production of honey, olive oil and wine.

Beds: 5, Baths: 9, Price: €2,600,000, Location: Lisbon, Portugal, Features: Outdoor swimming pool, solar panels, furo, annexes, elevator. christiesrealestate.com

In an extraordinary restoration project, this beautiful castle is being returned to its former glory. Overlooking a grand landscaped park, forest and a lake, this château also comes fully equipped for continued wine production, with a 35 hectare vineyard which produces 100,000 bottles of organic wine every year. Also included with the property is a thermoregulated tankhouse, and a traditional barrel cellar able to store 100 barrels.

Beds: 15, Baths: 3, Price: €3,100,000, Location: Cours de Verdun, Bordeaux, Features: Traditional barrel cellar, lake, working vineyard, landscaped park. bordeauxsothebysrealty.com

Situated in the prestigious Happy Canyon, a coveted area in the Santa Ynez Valley, this family home offers an unparalleled lifestyle set among rolling hills, orchards of olive trees, and meticulously maintained vineyards. The main house is surrounded by 40 acres of valuable south-facing land which is primed for viticultural development. Oenophiles will be happy to hear that Rhone and Bordeaux style varietals have flourished in the area, making it the perfect spot for the budding wine producer.

Beds: 5, Baths: 5, Price: $12,250,000, Location: Santa Ynez, California, Features: Foreman’s house with pool, 4,300 tree olive orchard, guest house. christiesrealestate.com

For the first time, this property is on the market and ready to give you a taste of the good life in Napa Valley. As the personal estate of famed San Francisco restaurateur, designer and vintner Pat Kuleto, this property might well be the ultimate haven for the true fine-wine connoisseur. With incredible sweeping views from every window, a spectacular infinity pool and pool house, wine cave, vineyard, and three lakes — this is a Napa Valley nirvana like no other.

Beds: 5, Baths: 5, Price: $5,999,000, Location: St Helena, California, Features: Library, wine cellar, chef’s kitchen, heated pool, guest house. sothebyshomes.com

More interested in the wine? Here are the best own label Champagnes…

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