Burgundy winemaker Alex Gambal was recently featured in an “Ask a Winemaker” video where he discussed land prices in the Côte de Beaune.  His basic premise was that Grand Cru vineyard prices have become so expensive (he paid $1 million USD for an acre of Bâtard-Montrachet) that there is less than a 2% return on investment.  According to Mr. Gambal people buy these properties today simply for the cachet it adds to their vineyard portfolio.  So it’s a status purchase, kind of like winery owners’ bling.