Location

In a village in the Lower Bugey region in the French department of Savoy, on the edge of the Lavours Marsh Nature Reserve, close to the banks of the Rhône and the Bourget Lake and its many activities. Approx. 60 minutes from Geneva, 19 miles from Aix-les-Bains and 10 minutes from Belley, an Episcopal and native town of Brillat-Savarin, writer, famous epicure and master of the gastronomic art.

Description

Surrounded by its land and its vineyards, this sun-trap property is in a slightly dominant position, right in the middle of a village.
The collection of 7 buildings cover an overall floor surface area of 17,222 sq ft. They are spread around a square courtyard and miscellaneous open spaces.
- A vast luxurious home built in the style of a former Savoy stronghold house spanning approx. 5,382 sq ft of living space over 2 stories currently comprises 4 large bedrooms, and some wonderful reception rooms.
- Adjoining this building is an impressive barn, the vast interior space of which is currently only laid out with a 430 sq ft bedroom looking out on to a terrace with duckboard flooring.
- Sharing a party wall with this barn is an opulent 18th century house with architectural features that bear witness to the superb workmanship of French “Compagnon” craftsmen. Flanked to the north-east by a 1,292 sq ft Mediterranean terrace, and marking the imaginary boundaries of the courtyard to the south, it overlooks a water terrace garden. On the ground floor is a pleasant, convivial wine tasting vault where customers are received.
- Facing the courtyard is a 3rd building made of local stone and laid out as a rural holiday home. Its 3 inside, air-conditioned bedrooms, designed along the theme of vine grower’s cottages, are a reminder of the “terroir” and its traditions. The ground floor comprises a 753 sq ft, sound-proofed, vaulted cellar with Etruscan decor which is used for receiving groups and organising seminars.
- At the end of the Mediterranean terrace, a solidly-built building with 2 separate levels and a certain charm due to its original stone architecture and overhanging eaves. The 3,229 sq ft ground floor is currently used as a storage area for the estate wines and “eaux-de-vie”, fruit liqueurs. The upstairs also spans 3,229 sq ft and is composed of adjoining alcoves which clearly brings a conversion into additional rooms for bed & breakfast to mind.
- To the east of this building is a 5,382 sq ft wine storehouse, still in its original condition, where the different estate wines are made.
- Further to the north, a vast car parking area is bordered by a recent 2,153 sq ft building, used for labelling purposes, and a line of covered areas used for sheltering the wine-growing equipment.
A private tarmac driveway links the estate entrance in the village to a northern exit which comes out on a local road. It passes through approx. 3.7 acres of grasslands and vineyards and provides a second independent access.
The estate is divided into vineyards, most of which adjoin the property which is made up of approx. 39.5 acres of planted vines. To this can be added approx. 27 acres of grasslands, forests, marsh and moor lands, running the length of the property and sometimes scattered throughout surrounding areas.
The wine production business is well-known in the region. The entire estate is currently undergoing AOC classification, scheduled for this year. The various vine varieties (Gamay, Pinot, Chardonnay, Mondeuse) give a total annual production of approx. 17,600 gallons of wines and liqueurs. Regular customers total approx. 600, one third of which are restaurant owners which means that the estate can envisage healthy, sustainable development.

Our opinion

This family-run property, situated in the French department of Savoy in a pleasant region with its expanding tourist trade, has been widely recognised for a number of years due to the experience of the owners.
A guesthouse and function business (bed & breakfast, holiday accommodation, wine tasting, seminars, etc.) associated with a dynamic wine-growing business (significant wine stocks, well-maintained equipment, well-established business, recognised name) makes it possible to envisage the purchase of this property in a variety of ways and to plan for the future in all serenity, possibly even entrusting the farming to a third party or even the current owners who would be prepared to “ease” a future buyer into the way of things.

Price: Consult us
Our fees are included in the stated sale price.

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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.