While not ranking first in the number of vineyard lots sold at auction nationwide, Tuscany stands at the top for the overall value, exceeding 24 million euros. Umbria and Sicily follow in terms of value. A decline has been observed over the past five years, when 142 Tuscan vineyards were auctioned: “Good news for the market.” Third at the national level for the number of auctioned vineyards, although fortunately the numbers are in a marked decline, but first in value, confirming its high-quality production. In 2023, 27 lots were sold in Tuscany, taking the bronze medal of a podium topped by Sicily with 48 and Puglia with 34. However, when considering absolute value, our region has no rivals: 24,589,990 euros, leaving Umbria far behind with nine million and 267 thousand euros. These are the figures emerging from the analysis conducted by the AstaSy Analytics Study Center of Npls Re_Solutions. Overall, last year in Italy, 244 vineyard lots went under the hammer, for a total value of 66,648,711 euros. The calculation is straightforward: those in Tuscany represent 11% of the total but account for over 36% of the value. The ranking with Tuscany and Umbria in the top two positions is confirmed by judicial procedures: the properties currently for sale at the highest value are related to the Courts of Pisa and Spoleto.
In particular, in the municipality of Crespina Lorenzana (Pisa), there is an agricultural company spanning 484 hectares, of which 24 are vineyards, valued at 11.4 million euros, with a varied production including Chardonnay, Vermentino, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Trebbiano, and Merlot grape varieties. The last survey by the Astasy Study Center on the sector dates back to 2019, the pre-pandemic period. At that time, the vineyards that went to auction were almost five times the current quantity (1142). About 40% were concentrated in Tuscany (more than 450), where the price of vineyards in foreclosure amounted to over 100 million euros. According to analysts, the decrease in auctioned properties represents “a positive decline, testifying to a sector, the wine industry, that is regaining strength and determination.”
“Analyzing it from a real estate perspective, the vineyard sector is as interesting as it is peculiar and challenging,” explains Massimiliano Morana, CEO of Npls Re_Solutions, who warns: “It is an appealing type of property that can offer profitable investment opportunities, but it requires in-depth knowledge of the wine sector, including agricultural practices, winery management, and market trends. It is important to consider the challenges and specific characteristics of the sector before embarking on this type of investment: the costs associated with managing a vineyard, including labor, equipment, phytosanitary treatments, and maintenance, can be high.”