All hail the rising sun! At Stonehenge, the Heel Stone (a 5,000-year-old astronomical marker of sarsen stone) precisely aligned to frame the solstice sunrise, and with it, the summer began.   

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, Midsummer is the zenith of the growing season and preludes the slow onset of harvest to come. For the vines, the critical days have begun, while July nears, the fruit will “set” and by August, veraison: the grapes ripen, develop their color, concentrate their flavors. 

Soon enough, the harvest will come, and with it the long, laboring days of September. Meanwhile, though, we toast to the languid, lush, and lazy summerlands with a collection of vineyard estates in the world’s great wine regions. With cheers, santé, saluti, and saúde to vignerons everywhere! 

1. Wine Resort in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy 

This Tuscan vineyard and agriturismo (agricultural tourism) estate abides on 198 acres (80 hectares) in the heart of Chianti country, with 30 acres (12.5 hectares) of organic vineyards planted with Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties among olive groves (producing 1,300 liters of extra virgin olive oil per year), arable land, woodland, and a lake. 

The agriturismo business is organized around three “hamlets”—free-standing buildings which include multiple rental units, three sunworshippers’ swimming pools, a soccer pitch, and a grass tennis court. 

Hamlet A has been renovated and finished in rural Tuscan style, with wood beams, terracotta floors, stone walls, fireplaces, arches and traditional fixtures. Its restaurant and conference hall building is under construction. Hamlets B and C are structurally complete and require only their final finishes.  

2. Turnkey Hobby Vineyard Estate in Bordeaux, France 

This stately château resides in a Right Bank appellation of Bordeaux, near the world-famous Saint-Émilion wine region.   

The grounds comprise woods, vineyards, meadows, and a lake, for a total domain of around 47 acres (19 hectares).

There are almost 15 acres (6 hectares) of prime Bordeaux vineyards, taking in Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a tiny parcel of Alvarinho. The vineyard and winery are expertly managed by an experienced team that produces about 30,000 bottles per year.   

Landscaped and irrigated parkland, with expansive lawns, specimen plants, fountains, and a 59-foot saltwater pool surround the 18th-century manor house. The beautifully renovated interiors offer five bedrooms and formal and informal spaces with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light suitable for entertainment intimate or grand.

All this is offered turnkey, including the furniture, vineyard business, equipment, and wine stock. 

3. Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate ​​in St. Helena, Napa Valley, California 

This private, gated vineyard estate in St. Helena, California, encompasses 44 acres in the prestigious Spring Mountain District AVA in Napa Valley, California.  

The estate includes six, double-planted acres of meticulously tended wines, producing the coveted, award-winning Juslyn Vineyards label—a celebrated Napa cult wine brand (including 23 vintages) scoring 91-98 pts on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale. 

There are two parcels. The first, at 2900 Spring Mountain Road, includes a custom-built, 12,000-square-foot residence, guest house, 5,000-bottle wine cellar and tasting room, 80-foot lap pool, outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, guest house, terraced gardens with koi ponds, and 1.81 acres of vines. The second parcel (2910 Spring Mountain Road) features a prospective 2.25-acre homesite and 4.5 acres of vines. 

Primed for expansion and growth, this vineyard estate contains six additional plantable acres and accompanying winery license, making it possible to bifurcate and establish a flagship tasting room. 

4. L'Avenues de Franschhoek Estate, Western Cape, South Africa 

L'Avenues de Franschhoek is a vineyard lifestyle estate in the Franschhoek Valley wine region on South Africa’s Western Cape.  

The designers expanded the traditional country farmhouse to an H-shaped footprint, which permitted walls of windows for light and air, and raising magnificent, double-height, timber-vaulted ceilings over open-plan living space. 

The fully kitted chef’s kitchen and center island open to the dining and lounge space. A separate, sunken lounge opens to an expansive patio. On the same level, the spacious owner’s suite has a media lounge. There is also an en suite guest bedroom. 

Upstairs, the third en suite bedroom offers an open-plan dressing room and a fourth adjoining bedroom. The fifth bedroom is in a loft flat above the three-car garage, which provides the separate laundry and scullery spaces.  

The final touch: a large underground wine cellar and tasting room with two additional storage rooms. 

5. Organic Vineyard in Porto, Portugal 

This timeless quinta basks on six acres (2.4 hectares) near the city of Porto. The vineyard was planted in the 17th century by the friars of the Monastery of Leça do Balio and forms part of the ancient Camino de Santiago pilgrim route. 

The modern wine-production facility includes a stainless-steel vat room, barrel aging, and storage rooms. There are several outbuildings and a four-car garage. 

The luxurious accommodations include a restored manor house with five bedrooms and three bathrooms; a three-bedroom gate lodge; and a one-bedroom apartment. 

The property comes complete with resort-inspired facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool with a covered veranda, a sauna and kitchenette, and a professional-grade tennis court.  

Toast to the summer; explore our collection of vineyard estates.