Want to buy a vineyard in Italy? You’re not alone. Italy is the world’s biggest wine producer, and its vineyards aren’t just beautiful, they’re also big business. Moreover, Italy recently achieved record-breaking wine exports exceeding €8.13 billion in 2024, with the entire Italian wine value chain estimated at approximately €31.5 billion annually. The wine sector demonstrates exceptional trade performance, with export rates nearly double that of typical agricultural industries.
But hold off on packing your bags for Sicily or Tuscany until you’ve done a couple of important things first. In this article, we’ll walk you through each of the things you need to do, starting with how to choose the right region for your goals, then moving on to legal documentation, getting financing, and taxes. Check if you qualify for buying a vineyard in Italy below.
Step 1: Choose the Right Region for Your Goals
Not all Italian vineyards are the same. Some areas are known for high-end wines with global recognition. Others are emerging markets where land is still affordable and tourism is growing.
Market data reveals that Italy’s total vineyard area of 674,000 hectares represents approximately €56.5 billion in land value, averaging €84,000 per hectare, roughly four times the value of ordinary farmland. Premium appellations command significantly higher prices, with top zones reaching €1-2 million per hectare.
Tuscany For Prestige and Wine Tourism
If you’re looking for a vineyard with global brand appeal, Tuscany is your go-to. It’s famous for wines like Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino. Properties here are expensive but well-established, often equipped with cellars, tasting rooms, and guest accommodations. Expect to pay around €170,000-€200,000 per hectare for premium vineyard land. Entire estates with wine production facilities can start from €2 million.
Notably, Brunello di Montalcino vineyards have experienced remarkable appreciation, with values increasing by approximately 63% over the past 15 years, demonstrating the strong capital appreciation potential of premium vineyard land.
Piedmont For High-End Collectors
Piedmont is home to Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy’s most prestigious wines. This region is ideal if you’re interested in fine wine production and selling to collectors or high-end restaurants. Vineyards in the Langhe area (a UNESCO site) hold long-term value, with land costs similar to Tuscany. These wines require aging and more hands-on attention but can sell for €50-€200 per bottle.
Veneto For Sparkling Wines and Market Reach
If you prefer sparkling wines like Prosecco, Veneto is where you want to be. The Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG zone is especially valuable. Veneto also produces Amarone and Valpolicella-bold reds with strong export demand. Vineyards here are generally more affordable (€60,000-€150,000 per hectare), and the region is close to Venice and major airports, making logistics easier.
The growing global demand for sparkling wines, particularly high-quality Italian varieties, creates excellent market opportunities for investors in this region.
Sicily and Puglia For Affordability and Growth Potential
Want to enter the wine market without spending millions? The solution is Southern especially around Mount Etna, vineyards cost €30,000-€70,000 per hectare and produce unique volcanic wines that are gaining global attention. In Puglia, you’ll find even more affordable land (€25,000-€50,000 per hectare), generous EU subsidies, and huge production capacity. These regions are great for building a new brand or experimenting with styles.
Step 2: Legal Processes
Once you’ve chosen your region and found a property, the next step is to make sure everything is legally sound. Italian agricultural law is strict, so you’ll need to handle a few key things before closing a deal.
- Pre-emption Rights (Diritto di prelazione)
In Italy, neighboring farmers or tenants may have the first right to buy the land. You need signed waivers or formal refusals before you can proceed.
- Visura Catastale (Visura Catastale)
This is a land registry document. It confirms who owns the land, what it’s used for, and whether it’s legally zoned for agriculture.
- Soil & Water Assessment (Relazione Agronomica)
Before planting or replanting vines, check the soil quality, slope, sunlight, and irrigation rights. A local agronomist can help.
- DOC or DOCG Certification
If the vineyard already has official wine designation status, you can start selling high-quality wines under those labels right away. If not, you may have to apply for it.
- Title and Ownership Check (Atto di proprietà)
A notary must confirm that the title is clean and that there are no outstanding debts or legal claims tied to the property.
- Environmental Clearance (Autorizzazione Paesaggistica)
Finally, if you’re buying land in a protected zone (like Etna or Val d’Orcia), you may need special permissions for renovations or expansion.
Step 3: Explore Your Financing Options
Vineyard investments in Italy can be significant, but there are several financing options available, even for non-residents. Traditional mortgages are offered by major Italian banks such as Intesa Sanpaolo, though they typically require a larger down payment (30-40%) and verifiable income. If you’re purchasing land for agricultural use, low-interest loans are available through ISMEA, Italy’s national agency for agricultural credit. These loans are especially accessible if you plan to develop sustainable or organic vineyard operations.
If you’re purchasing land for agricultural use, low-interest loans are available through ISMEA, Italy’s national agency for agricultural credit. These loans are especially accessible if you plan to develop sustainable or organic vineyard operations.
Italy benefits from substantial EU funding through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027, which allocates approximately €35 billion to farmers. This includes €17.6 billion in direct payments and roughly €2.0 billion specifically for investment assistance. Wine-specific programs include a €101 million national fund for agricultural risk management, with approximately €52 million designated for winegrowers.
In addition to loans, Italy benefits from substantial EU funding through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which supports vineyard improvement projects like irrigation systems, vine replanting, and tourism infrastructure. If you’re planning to expand or share investment risk, partnering with private investors, such as local winemakers or international wine funds, can be another effective approach. Many vineyard businesses in Italy operate as joint ventures or through structured partnerships. To streamline access to funding and qualify for certain grants, it’s often recommended to establish an Italian legal entity like an SRL (the equivalent of a limited liability company).
Step 4: Tax and Ownership Responsibilities
Being able to have a vineyard in Italy can mean a variety of tax benefits, but it must be done carefully so that it doesn’t create legal or financial problems. An example is, if the land is being used for agriculture, you may not have to pay IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica), the annual property tax in Italy. A variety of operating costs, equipment, labor, maintenance, can also be deducted. And if you offer agritourism activities like tastings or accommodations, you may qualify for VAT deductibility (IVA detraibile) on those expenses as well. In addition, farm businesses often have lower income tax rates, especially if small scale or direct to consumers. You can find and use an income tax calculator to estimate how these benefits might impact your overall tax liability.
Buyers who qualify for IAP (qualified farmer) status enjoy significant tax advantages, including paying only 1% cadastral tax on land purchases plus fixed €200 registry and mortgage fees, instead of the standard 9-15% rate. This classification can save tens of thousands of euros on property acquisition costs.
An example is, if the land is being used for agriculture, you may not have to pay IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica), the annual property tax in Italy. Agricultural land owned by qualified farmers (IAP status) is completely exempt from annual IMU property taxes, providing ongoing savings throughout ownership.
Nevertheless, structure is important, especially to foreign buyers. Italian inheritance laws have forced heirship, which means your property can pass on to your heirs automatically according to law, even if it’s not mentioned in your will. Prevent future legal issues and foreign investors commonly prefer buying up vineyards via an Italian company (an SRL, for example) or establishing a family trust. It gives more flexibility when it comes to estate planning, tax planning, and business succession. To make sure that everything is done correctly, one needs a trained commercialista (Italian tax counselor) who is familiar with local taxes as well as foreign ownership regulations.
Step 5: Estimate Returns and Think Long-Term
Wine exports are strong, and demand for Italian wines keeps growing. Regions like Tuscany and Piedmont are perfect for selling to high-end markets, while places like Sicily and Puglia are becoming hot spots for boutique wines and wine tourism.
If you open tasting rooms, offer lodging, or host events, you can build multiple income streams. Even a 5-10 hectare vineyard can generate meaningful revenue when managed well. And because vineyard land is limited, especially in DOC/DOCG zones, its value tends to appreciate over time.
Pay attention that Southern regions may become more valuable as climate change shifts grape-growing zones. Sicily and Puglia, with their long seasons and heat-resistant grapes, are well-positioned for the future.
What Should You Do?
Buying a vineyard in Italy is a rewarding, multi-layered investment. You’re not just purchasing land, you’re investing in a lifestyle, a product with global appeal, and a legacy you can grow for generations.
Start by choosing the right region for your goals. Then, get legal help to guide you through documentation and land rights. Once you’re legally covered, explore your financing options and think about how you’ll structure your business and taxes.
If you have read so far, you can also consider having a checklist prepared to ease your journey to buy a vineyard in Italy.
Bonus: Vineyard Purchase Checklist
1. Define Your Investment Goals
- Do you want a premium winery or an affordable startup project?
- Will you run wine production only, or include tourism (lodging, tastings)?
2. Choose the Right Region
- Tuscany – prestige, tourism, global branding
- Piedmont – fine wines, collector markets
- Veneto – sparkling wines, strong export base
- Sicily/Puglia – affordable land, EU funding, innovation potential
3. Perform Legal Due Diligence
☐ Check for pre-emption rights and get written waivers
☐ Obtain Visura Catastale to confirm land classification
☐ Assess soil and irrigation potential with a local agronomist
☐ Verify DOC/DOCG status or potential application
☐ Review title deed and ownership history
☐ Apply for environmental permits if in protected areas
4. Secure Financing
☐ Explore traditional mortgage options with Italian banks
☐ Research ISMEA agricultural loans
☐ Apply for EU subsidies (CAP or RDP grants)
☐ Consider creating an SRL (Italian LLC) for better access to funding
5. Plan for Taxes and Ownership
☐ Consult a commercialista (tax advisor)
☐ Consider forming an SRL or trust to manage ownership
☐ Understand IMU exemptions, VAT deductions, and Italian income tax brackets
☐ Create a long-term inheritance or succession plan
6. Estimate Income and Build a Brand
☐ Research production capacity and market demand
☐ Consider adding wine tourism to boost revenue
☐ Look into export channels and local distribution
☐ Plan branding, marketing, and future growth strategy
Would you like to read more about similar topics? Then, take a look at our related articles here; Immigrating in Italy by Investment, How Financial Investments are Taxed for Italian Residents and Living (and Paying Taxes) in Italy with a Green Card.
