Fawn Weaver Reveals Why Buying a Vineyard In France Is Nearly Impossible for Americans

by Gee NY

“It’s not just a purchase—it’s a legacy,” Weaver says on the Vault Empowers podcast

Entrepreneur Fawn Weaver is pulling back the curtain on what it takes to buy a vineyard in Cognac, France—and why most Americans are shut out of the process.

Appearing on the Vault Empowers podcast, Weaver explained that unlike in the U.S., where real estate transactions typically follow a straightforward process of offer, acceptance, and escrow, France’s Cognac region is governed by an entirely different—and deeply traditional—system.

“You come here, you go to California, you want to buy a vineyard, you give your offer, they accept, you go into escrow, close escrow, done,” Weaver said. “That’s not how it works in the wine-growing regions of France.”

In Cognac, once a potential buyer and seller reach an agreement and enter escrow, the transaction is publicly announced in a newspaper. At that point, anyone in the community can outbid the buyer, triggering a competitive process not commonly seen in American real estate.

But that’s just the beginning.

Weaver went on to describe the unique oversight by a single government body responsible for determining the final buyer, even after bids are placed.

According to her, that entity doesn’t just consider the highest offer—it weighs who will protect the land’s legacy.

“What they’re looking for is who is going to take care of this for generations to come,” said Weaver. “They’re not going to come in here and pillage it, do a brand, do a whole bunch of stuff, and then move on.”

The Cognac region is renowned globally for brands like Hennessy, Rémy Martin, and Courvoisier, but Weaver pointed out that the actual product stems from multi-generational family farmers and distillers—many with over 20 generations of history in viticulture.

Her comments highlight the clash between fast-paced entrepreneurship and old-world stewardship, and provide rare insight into why American ownership in the region remains virtually nonexistent.

“That’s why Americans don’t own land in Cognac, France,” she said.

Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, is no stranger to the spirits industry or building lasting legacies—but even she acknowledged the cultural and procedural barriers to vineyard ownership in France’s most protected wine region.

For those dreaming of owning a vineyard in Cognac, France, Fawn Weaver’s message is clear: it’s not just about money—it’s about heritage, community trust, and long-term stewardship.

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