1. v i n e y a r d p r o p e r t y
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v i n e y a r d p r o p e r t y
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FRANCE
The French are fiercely proud of their viticulture tradition and the
country closely controls the quality of its wine based on region,
type of grape, and what the French call terroir – a combination of
soil, rock, weather, altitude and temperature. With more than two
million acres of vineyards, growing regions are plentiful. Postcard-
perfect scenery includes rolling hills dotted with medieval castles.
Among the best-known regions are Bordeaux, a primarily red wine
region along the Atlantic coast; Burgundy in eastern France; and
Champagne, located in the colder northeast part of the country.
CALIFORNIA
With more than 400,000 acres of vines, California accounts for
some 90 percent of U.S. wine production. Wineries are usually
considered to be in one of four regions: the North Coast, near
San Francisco, including the Napa and Sonoma Valleys; the Central
Coast, the middle section of the state; the South Coast, from
Los Angeles to Riverside and Mexico; and the Central Valley,
including the Sierra Foothills. More than 100 grape varieties are
grown in the state, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot,
Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Zinfindel leading the pack.
The origins of wine are ancient,
its roots tracing back to the very
earliest civilization. Archeologists have found
evidence of fermented grapes dating back as
far as 6,000 BC, and examples of wine can be
found in nearly every culture.
Across generations and around the world,
wine has been a staple of life, and often
stomping and cellaring were a family affair.
However, much of today's wine production
has become mass-produced with an
emphasis on quantity rather than quality,
and so family-owned vineyards have become
increasingly scarce. But those who love wine
and who are looking for a lifestyle that allows
them to live among the picturesque beauty
of their own vineyard and perhaps make a
business out of doing what they enjoy most
are coming to realize that owning your own
vineyard has benefits far beyond drinking
your own label, though that’s a nice perk, too.
Wine aficionados seeking to truly know the
roots of their reserve increasingly are turning
their passion for the grape into a family
vintage appeal
In search of a more
enjoyable business or
lifestyle, a growing
number of people are
purchasing private
vineyards and wineries
A brief guide to a selection of the world's
major wine-producing countries and regions
s
W o r d s pa u l a s to ry
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
The roots of winemaking on the region of the Iberian Peninsula go deep. Some
say Noah planted the first vineyard around 5,000 BC. Because of the dry, rocky
soil and harsh conditions throughout much of the region, many vineyards are
planted at higher elevations with the vines spaced as much as eight feet apart to
give them adequate hydration. Spain is known for its Sherry, a fortified wine
from Jerez, but in recent years its Rioja has gained buzz as a high-quality red
wine. White wines from Penedes are also popular. Port, or Porto, comes, of
course, from the city of Porto, in northern Portugal’s Douro Valley.
wine
country
AUSTRALIA
Much like the country of their origin, Australian wines have a back-story of simple beginnings, perseverance and
adaptability that has resulted in worldwide admiration. In the late 1780s, vine cuttings were brought to the penal
colony of New South Wales from the Cape of Good Hope. The first effort failed, but other settlers persisted and
wine was being produced by about the 1820s. As settlers continued to arrive
from Europe, they used their knowledge to create renowned winemaking
areas, such as the Barossa Valley. Today, Australia is considered a trendsetter in
growing technique as well as the end product. The Syrah grape was called
Shiraz in Australia, a trend that has since caught on elsewhere. There are nearly
2,000 wine producers in the country, and many remain small operations.
Top to bottom: A Napa Valley vineyard in
California; Sunrise over Barossa Valley vines
in Australia;The rolling hills of Porto; A
traditional French hilltop village and vineyard.
A luxury winery and estate in
San Miguel, California. $9.95m.

2. v i n e y a r d p r o p e r t y
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r a n c h p r o p e r t y
vineyard estates
v i n e y a r d p r o p e r t y
enterprise and a new way of life.“A client
recently bought a 55-acre parcel with a small
six-acre vineyard with great quality grapes,” says
Suzanne Perkins of Sotheby’s International
Realty in Santa Barbara, Calif.“The quality of the
wine was phenomenal, so they created their
own label and produce about 500 cases a year.”
Many U.S. states have created a new class of
winery license that allows farms to make and
sell wines at the site, and there can be other
marketing and tax-related benefits for
agritourism or micro-wineries. Boutique
winemakers also derive great pleasure from
living an old-world lifestyle that’s linked to the
land and flows with the seasons.
Reflecting the passion, attention to detail and
personal touch that only a true wine enthusiast
possesses, some of today’s most exciting new
wines come from small, family-owned
vineyards, where great care goes into each step
of the production process, from the initial
cultivation of the vine to the optimal timing of
the harvest and through the crushing,
fermentation, barreling and bottling.
It is fair to say that life on a vineyard is at
once more simple and yet more refined. Imagine
waking to see the sun rise over rolling rows of
grapevines. The dew glistens as you touch a
thick cluster of grapes and stroll through your
personal paradise. Every day, your family can
learn about the art and science of growth and
business. Each evening, dinner includes
vegetables picked fresh from your land and, of
course, your own wine.
Surrounded by the Rockies, the Bootjack Ranch in Colorado
has 3,100 acres of meadows, lakes, forest and streams. $88m.
For more information on any of the above vineyard estates, go to www.sothebysrealty.com
WINE ESTATE IN THE LUBERON
OF MARQUIS DE SADE
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, France
In the heart of historic Luberon, this stunning
30-hectare estate includes award-winning
vineyards – some of which still have vestiges of
Roman times. Situated between the magnificent
villages of Bonnieux, Goult, Menerbes, Lacoste
and Gordes, this stone-built character manor
includes large reception and dining rooms, a
professionally equipped kitchen, a library with French ceilings
and five master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Belles Demeures de Provence Sotheby’s International Realty
Orphelie S. Batier • Tel: +33 442 278275 • property ID 4000001292 • Price Upon Request
BOUTIQUE GUEST AND WINE FARM
Franschhoek, West Cape, South Africa
An hour’s drive from Cape Town, Franschhoek
is an alluring wine region set amid luscious
vineyards, gracious Cape Dutch farmsteads and
breathtaking mountain ranges. Originally part of
the 84-acre historic farm, La Province, which
borders the Franschhoek River, Basse Provence
wine and guest farm is set among fine, old oaks and includes a 40-acre vineyard, an exten-
sively restored manor house, original wine cellar, winemakers cottage and stables.
Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty
John Silva • Tel: +27 21 876 8480 • property ID 4000002210 • $3.6m
RANCH ANDVINEYARD estate
Marbella, Andalucia, Spain
Located on the west side of Estepona, this
private estate overlooks its own vineyard
and horse prairies all the way down to the
Mediterranean Sea. This Cortijo-style villa
offers an equestrian center and breeding
farm and an artificial lake. The home also
includes a guesthouse, swimming pool, vineyard planted with red grapes, plus a bodega
fully equipped for winemaking. The estate has been built in harmony with nature and
includes eight water deposits, generators and solar panels.
Kristina Szekely Sotheby’s International Realty
Kristina Szekely • Tel: +34 952 810 102 • property ID 4000006444 • $40.5m
mediterranean style winery
San Miguel, California, USA
A spectacular 168-acre estate vineyard in the heart
of California's Central Coast wine region. Rising
majestically from the vineyard is a stunning
four-bedroom, seven bath Spanish-style home,
surrounded by 110 acres of premium red wine
grapes. Spacious interior living areas open to
balconies, promenades, extensive lawns and a spectacular infiniti-edge pool. Grape varietals
planted between 1991 and 1997 include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.
Wilson & Co. Sotheby’s International Realty
Linda Wilson • Tel: +1 805 543 7727• property ID 4038371 • $9.95m
The iconic view of the Wild West
– with sweeping vistas, stampeding
cattle and cowboys roaming on horseback –
was a real part of early American life that
became a popular genre for generations of
movie and television fans. And while it’s true
that western United States in the 1800s was
dominated by ranching, the Ben Cartwrights
and Big Jakes of Hollywood were only bit
players when it comes to the real-life saga
of saddling up and riding into the sunset.
We can thank Spain for developing the
ranching lifestyle. The first real “cowboys”
roamed huge tracts of land on horseback
during the Reconquista period, overseeing
their borders and watching the herds of cattle
that grazed the open ranges. Conquistadors
brought their traditions and their cattle to the
Americas in the 16th century, and charros and
vaqueros (cowboys) were the models for later
settlers who brought cattle from Europe and
the east coast to the arid climates of the west.
Similar ranching practices can be found
around the world. Cowboys are known as
rural retreats
Ranch style living offers
the opportunity to
enjoy a more relaxed
pace of life and a
stronger connection to
the land and nature
W o r d s pa u l a s to ry
“A vineyard is incredibly beautiful and peaceful,”
Perkins says.“With a wine property,you can get as
involved as much or as little as you want.”

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r a n c h p r o p e r t y
ranch estates
premier FISHING AND
HUNTING PRESERVE
Silver Creek, Blaine County, Idaho
Located within a comfortable one
hour's drive of Sun Valley, this luxury
private residence or sporting club in-
cludes some 1,444 acres of breathtaking
land. With 3.5 miles of Silver Creek and
the Little Wood River flowing through
the property, the ranch offers superb
bird hunting and world-class trophy
trout fishing at your door, together with
an abundance of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, river otter, wild hare and nesting owls.
This is the largest and most pristine waterfront parcel in Blaine County, and it includes a
landing strip and on-site hangar for convenient accessibility.
Sotheby’s International Realty – Sun Valley Brokerage
Brian Bourgette • Tel: +1 208 726 5300 • property ID 0411577 • $19.9m
SOUTHERN
MANOR HOUSE
Franklin, Tennessee
A mile long drive through a dramatic
landscape of ancient trees, creeks, rock
outcroppings, and a glittering 12-acre
pond leads to Eagle’s Rest. This majestic
27,000-square-foot manor house looks
out over 700 stunning acres.
The home boasts antique wood
flooring and exquisite burled paneling. The customized home theater is designed with a
1920s Chicago movie house in mind, and the main recreation room has an automotive
racing theme and is complete with a pool table, pinball machines and a wet bar. The
master suite comprises a comfortable 4,000 square feet, and includes an office, exercise
room and coffee bar. A separate pool house, equestrian stable facility, private log cabin, fruit
tree orchard and nine-car showroom garage are among the countless amenities this stately
property has to offer.
The Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty
Christopher Steere • +1 615 463 3333 • property ID 4129101 • $33m
handcrafted mountain
Ranch Estate
Bigfork, Montana
At 70 acres, the rustic Deer Creek
Ranch is Western elegance at
its finest. Nestled in the foothills
of Montana’s majestic Swan
Mountains, this handcrafted log
home was designed to embrace
the area’s beautiful vistas, including
rushing creeks and ponds, while
showcasing exquisite log crafts-
manship. Developed by the esteemed LaChance Builders, known for constructing the finest
homes in the valley, this mountain view property also features a guest house, five-car
garage, multiple fireplaces, a fitness center and state-of-the-art home theater.
Iron Horse Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Hilary Shepard or Jeffrey Wirth • Tel: +1 406 837 6100 • property ID 4071065 • $13.95m
paniolos in Hawaii and as jackaroos on
Australian cattle or sheep ranches, known
as stations. Ranches are called runs in New
Zealand, and ranchos in much of Latin America.
Gauchos ride the range of Argentinean and
Chilean estancias.
Although today's cowboys are often more
MBA graduates than rough-and-tumble loners,
the allure of a true ranching lifestyle endures.
People don't necessarily want to relinquish such
convenient close-in activities as fine dining or
theater, but more and more buyers are looking
for space and quiet – perhaps the semblance of a
bygone era – in their day-to-day lives.
As well as the opportunity for peace and
tranquility, ranch style life brings the thrill and
enjoyment of hunting, fishing and a plethora of
outdoor and nature-based activities to your door,
while organic beef and vegetables, as well as
more exotic offerings of bison, elk, emu and
ostrich are in much demand for high-quality
grocers and exclusive restaurants.
In response to the increased demand for
a life more in tune with nature, open land
is more valuable than ever. "Select ranch
properties, like in the Rocky Mountain West,
offer discerning buyers the rare opportunity to
forge their own legacies on remarkable land
that's found nowhere else in the world," says Bill
Fandel, Vice President at Peaks Real Estate
Sotheby's International Realty.
"But for many, the biggest draw is simply the
peace and quiet of having your own space.
The golden days of riding the range for days
and days may be mostly in the past, but you
can still find your personal Ponderosa in a
farm, plantation or ranch property." For more information on any of the above ranch style estates, go to www.sothebysrealty.com
Clean air and awe-inspiring scenery, such as this majestic
Colorado valley, are attracting people to a more rural life.