Jyrki and Riikka Sukula have sold the farmland of their winery in Piedmont, Northern Italy.
Lands. Jyrki and Riikka Sukula acquired a winery in Northern Italy’s Piedmont 20 years ago. Riikka Sukula presented the winery to Iltalehti in autumn 2016. EVE PALJAKKA
Steep and Riikka Sukula have owned the farm located in the village of Serralunga d’Alba since 2005. At that time, they said the sale included three hectares of land and an old farmhouse. Now the Sukuls will have a house, but Viljelysmaat will go on a rotation.
Had you planned to give up for longer or did you get an irresistible offer?
– Both! There were several bidders, and there was an interesting offer. In addition, we completed 20 years in Italy – I guess you can call it a career, says a multi-tasker in the restaurant industry reached by phone from France Jyrki Sukula.
Trading in farmland in Piedmont is curbed by the neighborhood right of first refusal system. According to Sukula, the buyers are local, well-known young entrepreneurs in the area who have acquired other vineyards in the region.
Pleased. According to Jyrki Sukula, the goal in Italy was fulfilled: the couple learned viticulture and now Viljelysmaat has been sold on. Stock photo. EVE PALJAKKA
– I’m not going to speculate why they bought this particular farm, but they got the barns that have just been renewed and nothing needs to be done to them for 80 years.
The price was also right, says Sukula.
What was it?
– I won’t say that.
Sukula does not reveal the buyer’s name either.
– In Piedmont, it is customary to announce the sale when an old entrepreneur no longer sells wine and a new one starts.
It means that even though the sale of wine-growing lands has been settled, it will not bring major changes to the everyday life of the Sukuloi for a few more years.
– The daily work at the shelter will be eliminated, but the wine will still be in the cellar for the next four years. The work continues.
My own wine. The wines in the cellar keep Sukulat still in business. Eeva Paljakka
Sukula wines produced on the farm are also sold in Alko. Tastings at the farm are still planned by Sukulat.
How do you feel about the sale?
– With pleasure! We did what we wanted and learned what we wanted to learn. In Finland, we are used to the fact that farmers never sell their land, but that’s life.
The house and part of the plot are still owned by the Sukulos. One might think that the famous Barolo cultivation area has also enjoyed an increase in value. Sukula, however, rejects the vision.
– The world has changed a lot in 20 years.
The article was originally published In Kauppalehti.
