Univision billionaire Jerry Perenchio passed away in May 2017 at age 86 and left behind not just his $2.7 billion fortune, but a sizable estate in Los Angeles' Bel-Air neighborhood that is currently listed for $245 million, the most expensive price ever for a home in the United States. Perenchio owned the enormous acre Chartwell Estate, which includes its own 1.41 acre (0.57 hectare) vineyard, which can be yours for the relatively bargain price of $20 million.
Perenchio was an avid wine collector. Last year, his large collection of mature French wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy sold at auction for $12 million. The proceeds went to his family foundation.
The vineyard section of Chartwell has been listed separately from the mansion and its grounds. To compare this Southern California vineyard to the celebrated regions of France – a cost of one hectare of a grand cru vineyard in the Cote d'Or region of Burgundy cost $15.8 million in 2017. Based on that price, 0.57 hectare– the size of Perenchio's vineyard – would be roughly $8 million. Perenchio's vineyard is listed $12 million more than the average asking price of the best wine growing land in France.
Perhaps the inflated price is due to the hillside land's unique history. A home used to sit on the property that belonged to the Mamas and the Papas' John and Michelle Phillips. They rented it out to Sly Stone (of Sly and the Family Stone) and many parties were thrown there in the 1960s and 1970s. The home on the property has long since been demolished to make way for Perenchio's vineyard.
Chartwell itself is a neoclassical estate on 10 acres in the heart of Bel Air. The property has panoramic views from the Pacific Ocean to downtown Los Angeles. The estate has a 75-foot pool with pool house, 12,000 bottle wine cellar, tennis court, parking for 40 cars, and manicured gardens reminiscent of a French chateau. Perenchio purchased Chartwell in 2006 for $15 million.
You may recognize the exterior of Chartwell from the vintage TV series The Beverly Hillbillies.
