Price of Luxury: What Does $25 Million Buy Around the World?

What does it cost for that fairy-tale castle in Brittany? How much for that award-winning winery and vineyard estate in Tuscany? 

Well, for $25 million or thereabouts, homebuyers can live their dream. The diverse range of properties at this price point include the castle, the winery, and more. Those who prefer the resort lifestyle might consider a piece of private island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago or a refined beach house on Florida’s Gulf Coast.  

Herewith, we reveal just what, and—perhaps more important—just where that $25 million buys you. 

1. Award-Winning Winery in Volterra, Tuscany, Italy 

A masterwork of sustainable, industrial postmodernism, MonteRosola Winery presides over 307 acres from its hillside overlooking the medieval city of Volterra in the heart of Tuscan wine country, between the wine-growing regions of Chianti and Bolgheri. 

The winery hides leading-edge organic winemaking technology mostly underground (gravity fed aging tanks, heat pumps, solar and geothermal temperature controls, rainwater storage, etc.). Above ground, the façade flaunts its tan fieldstone rectangles, umber archways, arcades, and terracotta tile roofs that evoke the architecture of Volterra.  

Built from 2013 to 2019 by architects Paolo Prati and Tiziana Chierici, MonteRosola (“hill of poppies”) combines traditional winemaking techniques with sustainable agriculture.  

The complex includes a five-story “Cantina” tasting room, wine shop, catering kitchen, and indoor-outdoor spaces for intimate or grand-scale events, as well as an indoor pool and a helipad. 

Nearly 60 acres are under vine—Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Vermentino, Grechetto, and Incrocio Manzoni varieties—producing about 60,000 bottles annually under master oenologist Alberto Antonini. The remaining land is composed of a lake, woodland (producing white truffles), and a 3,500-tree olive grove. 

The owner’s residence is a restored circa-1490 fieldstone country manor house with charms of its own. The grounds include solar panels, several outbuildings, a classically inspired outdoor pool, and a sculpture by Mauro Staccioli. 

2. East Caicos Island in the Turks and Caicos 

For less than a deluxe Manhattan penthouse or a luxury villa in the Hollywood Hills, one can buy a slice of island paradise on East Caicos, a crown jewel and the largest uninhabited island in the emerging, blue-chip archipelago of the Turks and Caicos. 

This island’s dream? A birder’s paradise of wild savanna, or an untouched, off-the grid sanctuary—or even a developer’s vision of a five-star hotel, condominiums, cottages, villas, a yachting mega-marina and multiple golf courses across its 1,402 acres bounded by 1.2 miles of beach frontage. 

The property lies on the northern shore of East Caicos, uninhabited for more than 100 years, its bird populations include such threatened and endangered species as the piping plover, West Indian whistling duck, and Caribbean flamingo. 

East Caicos could be the next big thing in Turks and Caicos Islands, following the lineage and popularity of the most developed island, Providenciales, with its world-famous Grace Bay Beach and the five-star resorts and ultra-luxury homes and villas. 

3. Château in Brittany, France 

The magnificent castle sits on nearly 100 acres of wooded parkland along the River Aven in southern Brittany. 

Built and developed from the 15th to the 18th centuries, the limestone structure fell into disrepair until an extensive restoration and renovation over the last 20 years brought it into the 21st century. 

The restoration took roughly seven years to dismantle the structure stone by stone, with a crew of seven stonemasons permanently on-site. They created a granite quarry on the property to acquire new stone. The artisans’ contemporary touches nevertheless respect the structure’s antiquity.  

The castle‘s innovatively updated interiors extend to almost 25,000 square feet of expansive, airy living and entertaining space. Among the medieval features are the original solid-stone spiral staircase and a great room with a monumental limestone fireplace and beamed ceiling. Contemporary creature comforts include a dream kitchen by La Cornue, smart-home technology, and geothermal heating. 

There are several original buildings, including the chapel, monk’s tower, honey shed, and flax-drying shed. A natural granite swimming pool and several themed gardens seamlessly blend into the medieval environs.

The property also includes a boathouse on the river, a workshop, garage, caretaker’s house, staff lodge, and a large, detached guest house. 

Related: Discover 3 Historic Castles with Modern Interiors 

4. Custom-Built Beach House in Naples, Florida 

This rare, double-lot property near historic Old Naples, Florida, has a wooded, estate-like setting just four doors from the beach. 

The main entry’s double-height, colonnaded portico provides a shaded balcony and opens to grand, contemporary living spaces, with six bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, and a loft with a wet bar.  

Naples-based Kukk Architecture & Design and The Williams Group used oversized windows and tall, “lift and slide” glass doors to diffuse the boundaries to the outdoors.

There, multiple open or covered gathering spaces surround the expansive wooden pool deck warmed by a gas fire pit, outdoor kitchen, bocce ball court, and a resort-worthy pool with “sun shelf.”  

Further amenities include Savant smart-home technology, three sets of washer/dryers, two outdoor summer kitchens, a wine room, and a full-house generator.  

A detached guest house on the west side of the property offers one bedroom, one bathroom, and a fitness studio. A pair of discreet, two-car, climate-controlled garages are just off the property’s alleyway access.  

What does $25 million or thereabouts buy in other parts of the world? Find out here.