The place to buy a farmhouse with vineyard

Countryside

The place to buy a farmhouse with vineyard

According to the Polytechnic University of Milan’s Tourist Observatory, sustainable rural tourism in Val d’Orcia is expected to grow exponentially. Tuscany is extremely popular among Italians and overseas investors alike

Avineyard with farmhouse is a guarantee. And sometimes, even just the vineyard may be enough, especially in beautiful Val d’Orcia and the surrounding area. We spoke to some local estate agents and other experts, who all agreed that now is the time to invest. “In the last 4 or 5 years, the price for a hectare of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG vineyard has even broken the €1 million mark in some areas, peaking at 1 million, 100 euros, while a hectare of Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG would set you back between €300,000 and €450,000, significantly more than 5 years ago.” These are the words of Lorenzo Ermini from Carratelli Real Estate, an expert in sales in Val d’Orcia and the Chiana Valley in particular, especially Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano. Vineyards are therefore always an attractive proposition and represent a sound investment thanks to the Tuscany brand. Carratelli Real Estate has once again this year sold farms in Montepulciano to buyers who were initially looking in Montalcino. “We also offer agricultural development business plan consulting”, explains Ermini, “with an investment evaluation in the medium-long term, provided by the subsidiaries of the holding company. And business is particularly booming in up-and-coming areas where your money goes a lot further, which is why we also recommend vineyards in the Maremma, bordering Val d’Orcia, in the province of Grosseto. Although boasting lesser-known DOCs, they offer wide margins for development and fewer building constraints.” Constraints and bureaucracy, which are quite complex in this region, must always be taken into account, with the advice of property experts becoming an even more valuable asset. In contrast, those with higher budgets have access to Montepulciano, Val d’Orcia and Montalcino in particular, where large groups tend to invest. Ermini from Carratelli Real Estate also argues that it is easier to invest in neighbouring areas, such as between San Quirico d’Orcia and Montepulciano for IGT, Orcia DOC and Rosso and Nobile di Montepulciano. In the estate agent’s experience, the most sought-after properties, apart from villas, farmhouses and farms, are apartments in a historic Tuscan town. Fabio Tassi, the renowned eclectic entrepreneur from Montalcino, also confirms that a hectare of certified vineyard in Brunello would today sell for €1 million, whereas it may have been worth half that just 5 years ago, testifying to the extraordinary value of land in this region. In similar vein, Giancarlo Luciani states that “a 1-hectare vineyard that would have cost €500,000 six or seven years ago is now worth €1 million, and who’s to say that it might be worth €2 million in a few years?” According to Marco Tedeschi from Toscana Immobiliare, “a farmhouse with panoramic views of the Tuscan hills is the most sought-after property, and Val d’Orcia the ideal location. Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza are three of the most popular areas.”

Farms, villas, castles, historic buildings and particularly luxurious farmhouses make up Toscana Immobiliare’s exclusive portfolio. “We assist buyers both during and after the sales process, helping non-Italian speaking clients to work through the complex Italian bureaucracy, providing strategies and advice for buyers and supporting entrepreneurs as they launch their agricultural enterprises.” Not only that, Marco Tedeschi’s estate agents also introduces its exclusive clientele to the region and its culture, food and traditions, so that they get a real sense of what they are buying. “Although rural property prices have fallen by around 30% in the last 7-8 years, now is the time to invest because prices have recently risen by around 2-3% and this is set to continue in the coming years,” Tedeschi concludes. According to a recent study by the Polytechnic University of Milan’s Tourist Observatory on innovation as a “booster” to relaunch the travel industry, rural tourism is expected to grow exponentially over the next five years, with a particular focus on the sustainability of accommodation and land. The study also found that Val d’Orcia is one of the fastest-growing destinations for foreign visitors. “It is wonderful news that rewards the preservation of the Val d’Orcia ecosystem by the administrators of our valley, making now an extremely interesting time to invest,” explains Stefano Petri, CEO of Great Estate, who recommends purchasing a classic 300- to 500-square metre farmhouse with 2-3 hectares of beautiful parkland and pool, one of the most sought-after properties on both the sales and holiday rental markets. Stefano Petri also tells Ville&Casali that he recently founded the tour operator www.greatstays.it “due to continuous requests from our investors in Val d’Orcia to make their investments profitable.” But who is investing in Val d’Orcia and the surrounding area? According to the estate agents we interviewed, Americans have returned in large numbers, together with investors from Germany, northern and eastern Europe, Italy, Brazil and South Africa. Mario Buoni, associate of the Siena-Arezzo branch of the Italian Federation of Professional Estate Agents (FIAIP) based primarily in Val d’Orcia, also feels the time is right for investing, and recommends “buying a farmhouse in Radicofani, even if only a small one, because it is a little-known village that has just as much to offer as municipalities like Pienza. Property prices there could easily rise significantly, as we receive a lot of interest for both new farmhouses and properties ripe for renovation, as well as apartments in the historic old town.” Meanwhile, Yuri Guerri from Tuscan Class advises buying in the hills between the Chiana Valley and Val d’Orcia due to the better transport links.