THE COST OF VINEYARDS IN BURGUNDY KEEPS GROWING. IN 2013, ACCORDING TO THE FRENCH MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, AN ACRE OF GRAND CRU COST ON AVERAGE 4 MILLION EUROS, MUCH MORE THAN IN BORDEAUX OR CHAMPAGNE

There is a very strong link between the cost of vineyards and wine. If the market for land continues to hold its own, the market for bottles can take it easy for at least a few more years. And the vignerons of Burgundy can relax while the price of vineyards continues to increase.
The average cost of purchasing lands of grand crus increased 5.3% in 2013, according to a report published by the French Ministry of Agriculture. Following a 17-year period of growth, today one hectare in Burgundy costs about 4 million euros. “On the Côte-d'Or”, says the report, “prices are continuing to grow, no matter the denomination, and the fact that sales are virtually blocked does not mean that estimates will go down. In 2013, the minimum price paid for one-hectare of grand cru was 1.9 million euros and the maximum was 9.4 million euros, compared to an average price in 2012 of 3.8 million euros, while back in 1996 it reached "only" 1.2 million euros per hectare.

In 2012 vineyards in the region of Pauillac, Bordeaux sold on average for 1.9 million euros per hectare, while in the prestigious Côte des Blancs, Champagne, prices of vineyards reached 1.5 million euros, a bargain when compared to those of Burgundy grand crus. If you want to spend a little less, the premier crus are much more affordable - in 2013 a hectare of Chardonnay on the Côte d’Or cost 1.2 million euros, while Pinot Noir cost a little more than half a million euros.

Grand Cru and Premier Cru in Burgundy represent 14% of the areas planted with vines: 559 (56.8% Pinot Noir) and 3,326 (44.2% Chardonnay) hectares. Another interesting fact is that in transactions involving Burgundy vineyards, only about 2% of the sold on the agricultural land real estate market, but 33% of the value. That is why 38 of the 50 most expensive wines in the world come from here.