For wannabe southern French vignerons

A wave of British investments washes over the Languedoc vines

What is it that draws British investors to the Languedoc region ? Is it the constant shining sun in a blue sky, the changing winds of the tramontane and the mistral, the exhilarating scents of the garrigue, the soft sprays of the Mediterranean sea, the view of vineyards as far as the eye can see, the strong and elegant wines ... ?

Probably a blend of all these elements along with the arrival of the company Ryanair, making Montpellier, Nîmes and Carcassonne only two hours from Big Ben, at prices which wouldn't even make a Scotsman turn a hair. According to Vignobles Investissement, the real estate agency specialised in vineyard property transactions in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, and member of the national network VineaTransaction.com the first internet site for vineyard real estate, Anglo-Saxon clients have taken the leading place in the acquisition of Languedoc vineyards.

Within two years, more than 20 properties have hoisted the British flag representing more than 1000ha of vines and 50 million euros of investment.

The reasons for this buying rush are obvious: an interesting financial investment with a strong viticultural potential in an attractive environment, all at extremely accessible prices.

From Carcassonne to Montpellier numerous acquisitions have taken place. The forerunner was most certainly Robert Eden, nephew of former prime minister Anthony Eden, who through Vignobles Investissement has acquired, together with his two American associates, not less than five properties in five different Languedoc appellations, including his flagship Château Maris in Minervois la Livinière. Robert Eden runs his properties through biodynamic methods offering a total respect of the environment.

Following his example, other major acquisitions have since taken place, most of them led by Vignobles Investissement : Graham Nutter, a financier of the City and wine lover, has taken over Domaine de Saint Jacques d’Albas in Laure Minervois giving life to a property of huge potential which rambles over 70ha.

Peter Close, a US expatriate, engineer and researcher from the oil industry, after having explored the South American and Spanish vineyards, has chosen to settle down as vintner in Languedoc with the acquisition of Château de Camplazens set on the AOC La Clape appellation. The property offers 110ha of which 35 of vines, of which the production is almost exclusively exported, predominantly to the US.

Fred Brown: this property developer left London (without knowing a word of French) to settle down on Domaine de la Sauvageonne and its magnificent terroir on the Terrasses du Larzac in the Coteaux du Languedoc appellation. Fred Brown, with the assistance of his oenologist, has made highly expressive wines as of the 2001 vintage.

Peter Munday, who already produces high-quality 'Parkerised' wines on his property Domaine des Chandelles in Barbaira in the AOC Corbières appellation, has doubled the size of his vineyard through Vignobles Investissement.

John Goellet, owner of famous Clos du Val in the Napa Valley, has bought Château de Nizas in the Hérault Valley, which has become a highly demanded area where the famous Prieuré de Saint Jean de Bébian is found and where AXA Millésimes, a subsidiary of the major insurance group, has just acquired an 80ha property.

Jonathan James, together with his wife Anne, has recently bought Domaine de Saint Hilaire close to Pézenas, a property of 70ha in Vin de Pays d’Oc appellation, which over the last few years has won numerous medals, especially for its Chardonnay wines.

John Hegarty, founder of communication agency Bartle, Bogle and Hegarty in London, has acquired Domaine de Chamans in Minervois with a project of becoming a leading wine producer in Languedoc. The property of 27ha vines is tucked up against the foothills of the Black Mountains [you'd find this called the Montagne Noire on a map] close to the Cru Minervois la Livinière appellation.

Walter Mackinlay has chosen to settle down in the Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation in the extraordinary site of the Dentelles de Montmirail, buying the Domaine de Mourchon in Séguret.

The arrival in 2002 of the Grant family (whisky) on the Domaine Ste Rose in Servian is also to be added to the list.

There is no doubt that these acquisitions will help promote Languedoc-Roussillon wines on the British market as these 'Anglo-Languedoc' vintners become the ambassadors of Languedoc wines across the Channel. Their presence will without doubt be appreciated at the coming London Wine Trade Fair [20-22 May www.londonwinefair.com].

Furthermore Europe now has a head-start in Languedoc. In 2002, and for the first time, Vignobles Investissement has seen the number of sales to foreigners creep above the number of sales to French clients. The number of sales registered within the VineaTransaction.com network shows that this trend also applies to the other French wine-producing regions.

In the 1980s France exported world-wide its know-how on vineyard management. Today, with just reason, the internationalisation of the world economy is leading investors to settle down in the south of France to produce, capitalise, communicate and promote wine and wine culture. A European vineyard is seeing the day in Languedoc.

The British consultant for Vignobles Investissement, Adam DAKIN (tel +33 467 22 55 52, mobile +33 687 69 24 12, email adakin@vignobles-investissement.com), will be attending the Vive la France Fair in London on 17th and 18th January 2003.

Vignobles Investissement is a member of the VineaTransaction.com network.

Vignobles Investissement is a member of the VineaTransaction.com network.

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Languedoc

Jancis Robinson