Vineyard Transfer: Which Advisors Should You Rely On?

When considering the sale or acquisition of a wine estate, expert guidance is a fundamental requirement.

Selling or acquiring a vineyard involves complex financial and legal considerations. For a complete overview of this process, discover our dedicated page to the sale of a wine estate.

Whether it involves valuation, legal or financial aspects, specialized professionals are essential to advise and support you in bringing your project to life.

Throughout the process of transferring a vineyard or winery, a number of key advisors step in. Each contributing their specific expertise to ensure a successful and secure transaction.

In this article, we explore the different advisors involved and highlight their roles. Whether you are a seller, a buyer, or still in the early stages of reflecting on your vineyard project.

The Chartered Accountant

The primary role of a chartered accountant is to manage the company’s accounting, prepare annual financial statements, and handle tax and social declarations.

But beyond these core tasks, their mission is above all to advise their clients on financial matters. A true partner in the day-to-day management of the business, the chartered accountant plays a key role at every stage..

Support for Sellers

As we highlighted earlier, the role of the chartered accountant is indispensable in the life of a company. Winegrowers are often already supported by an accountant for their business entities.

When it comes to selling, the accountant’s mission is to prepare the business for transfer under the best possible conditions. This includes:

• Supporting the seller throughout the transaction process.
• Organizing accounts and financial records,
• Assessing and optimizing the value of the company,
• Structuring the sales project,

Support for Buyers

In the case of an acquisition, buyers are required to draw up a forecast operating account. This means establishing the financial component of the business plan in order to anticipate the future development of the estate.

For this reason, we strongly recommend working with a chartered accountant specialized in agriculture, who can provide the most relevant guidance on forecasts and financial planning.

The accountant can also advise buyers on the choice of legal structure and on financing options.

The Property Valuation Expert

A property valuation expert is a legal professional whose main role is to assess the value of assets, whether real estate or movable property.

They also intervene in matters relating to land law, expropriation, agronomy, land management, and dispute resolution.

Support for Sellers

A wine estate owner wishing to sell can call on a property expert to estimate the net value of the estate.

A detailed assessment may cover the vineyard, land, buildings, harvests, equipment, and more.

The expert can also advise the seller on the sales process, takeover conditions, and the management of ongoing leases.

At Ampelio, we work with specialists recognized for their expertise in vineyard valuation and transfer, ensuring each project is grounded in precise and transparent assessment.

Support for Buyers

A prospective buyer can also seek the expertise of a property expert to evaluate a target estate.

This provides an independent valuation or counter-valuation of the property and terroirs. A fresh estimate or confirmation of the value may also be given.

The Notary

From a legal perspective, the notary is responsible for authenticating legal documents (sales and purchase agreements, contracts, donations, company formations, etc.).

As a legal professional, the notary informs and advises clients on the legal and tax implications of each act. They also play a role in the conservation and safeguarding of deeds.

It is advisable to contact a notary as early as possible in the sales process, or as soon as an agreement has been reached between the parties.

Understanding the legal timeline of a vineyard transfer is essential — you can also read our article Vineyard Acquisition Timeline: Key Steps to Know to better anticipate each phase of the process.

The notary is responsible for drafting and authenticating preliminary agreements as well as final deeds of sale.

We strongly recommend working with a notary specialized in agriculture and/or viticulture. As specific rules apply to vineyard estates that must be respected during a transfer.

In the case of a wine estate transaction, the seller and the buyer may choose to work with the same notary or each appoint their own.

The Lawyer

The lawyer is a legal professional whose role is to provide advice on legal matters, represent their client, assist them during legal proceedings, and certify the validity of authentic acts.

For the transfer of a wine estate, it is important to consult a lawyer specialized in business law, corporate law, or rural law.

The lawyer may also draft deeds of transfer of company shares.

Support for Sellers

The lawyer enables sellers to carry out a legal, tax, and estate audit of their vineyard business.

Support for Buyers

The lawyer assists in the creation of a company, guiding the buyer toward the most appropriate legal status for the estate, depending on their personal situation and long-term structuring objectives.

They can also draft the articles of association for the new company.

The Bank Advisor and the Broker

The bank advisor is the primary link between a client and their bank. They assist and advise their client in managing assets and in carrying out their banking projects.

The broker acts as an intermediary between a buyer and different banks. Their goal is to negotiate and secure the best possible loan and contract for their clients.

Support for Buyers

The broker and the bank advisor work together to help structure the buyer’s project.

A prospective buyer turns to them to obtain a loan and to set up the financing plan required to purchase a wine estate.

Ampelio

Ampelio is a firm specialized in the sale and acquisition of wine estates.

As a vineyard agency based in the Loire Valley, we combine market expertise and personalized support to connect sellers and buyers effectively.

Our mission is to ensure the perfect match between the buyer’s profile and the estate being sold. We guide our clients at every step, from the search and valuation of a property to the full installation of the new owners.

We also act as the central point of contact, coordinating all advisors involved in the transfer process so that everyone works together toward the successful completion of the project.

Listening, understanding, and open communication are the cornerstones of our work. We connect professionals in the sector with sellers and buyers according to their specific needs

Support for Sellers

The sale or acquisition of a wine estate extends far beyond the simple transfer of land and assets.

At Ampelio, we begin with a comprehensive and in-depth valuation of the estate in order to establish a fair takeover price, taking into account land, legal, human, and commercial factors.

Our teams then use this assessment to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of the estate, and to find the most suitable buyer profile to take it over.

Explore our current vineyard properties for sale and discover how our tailored approach matches each estate with the right buyer profile.

Support for Buyers

Understanding motivations, challenges, and aspirations is essential for us.

Our foremost objective is to preserve the vineyards of the Loire Valley and to carry forward the deep bond between this region and its wines.

We also support clients throughout their reflections, intentions, and the building of their project.

Learn more about our support and expertise.