If you are looking for good value for money, consider looking for property in areas that you haven't previously visited and are not familiar with. Certain areas command premiums only because they are widely known and popular. You can often get an equivalent property in another region for much less.

You should also consider getting to know area before you buy. Talk to people who have already purchased their home, holiday in area, or even rent for a period and meet neighbours before you finalise your decision. As with any property purchase, your neighbours will be a part of your life once you've bought your new home.

Try to negotiate. Contact a local valuer to get an impartial opinion. This will cost money, but will provide you with a neutral view of properties value, and possibly a stronger bargaining position so may pay for itself many times over.

Most importantly, consider taking independent legal advice, through another notary or a UK based specialist. The vendor instructs notary who acts in sale of property. They are acting in conveyance of title only and not for either side. You would be well advised to appoint a specialist to act specifically in your interest, and finally, just as in UK get property inspected by a qualified buildings surveyor. Unexpected bills could take shine off your dream home very quickly.

As temperatures rise, canes begin to grow and budbreak approaches. In California, this usually occurs in April or May. This may be most hazardous time of vineyard cycle, as remnants of Winter weather can hurt vines during this vulnerable stage. Flowers begin to form in June.

Grapes begin to develop and by mid-August, vineyard reaches a time called veraison. This is time when some grapes begin their color change and is another critical time in vineyard life cycle. During veraison, vineyard manager may prune leaves as well as some grape bunches. At this stage, sugars are undeveloped and grapes still taste sour.

Although tradition dictates that harvest will occur 100 days after flowering, decision to begin is ultimately vineyard manager's. A date is selected based on varietal as well as sugar and acid levels. Testing for latter two variables is frequent in final weeks and days.

The weather can dramatically affect grapes at this stage either positively or negatively. Late rains can dillute sugar levels and excessively high temperatures can detrimentally lower acidity. This can make wines either flat and boring or overly alcoholic. The risks of leaving grapes on vine for too long must be weighed against need to develop varietal characteristics.

After vineyard manager accounts for all of variables and decides that time is right, harvest begins and cycle starts over again.