Russian Vodka Billionaire Lists Scottish Highland Estate for £67 Million
Yuri Shefler, the Russian vodka billionaire best known for the Stolichnaya brand, is placing the prestigious Tulchan Estate in the Scottish Highlands on the market with an asking price of £67 million. This represents a significant potential return on his initial investment, having acquired the property for £25 million in 2017 through one of his companies.
A Property Steeped in Royal and Historical Significance
The Tulchan Estate, completed in 1906, spans over 21,000 acres near Advie in the Strathspey region. It boasts a rich heritage, having hosted illustrious fishing guests including King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, former US president Theodore Roosevelt, railway financier William Vanderbilt, and King Leopold of Belgium. Previously owned by the Litchfield family for 23 years, the estate is now being marketed by high-end estate agents Savills.
Savills has described the offering as "steeped in royal heritage and set amongst the dramatic landscape of the River Spey." The agents highlight the rare opportunity for a new owner to attempt a 'Macnab' – the challenge of catching a salmon, shooting a stag, and securing a brace of grouse all within a single day.
Shefler's Controversial Profile and Major Investments
The 58-year-old billionaire, estimated by Forbes to be worth $1.1 billion, has been a figure of considerable controversy. He was drawn into the acrimonious divorce proceedings of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie after purchasing Jolie's stake in the Château Miraval vineyard for $64 million in 2021, provoking Pitt's anger.
According to his Stoli Group, Shefler has faced raids, smear campaigns, and even attempted poisonings and kidnappings by Russian authorities amid a protracted vodka trademark dispute. In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the company rebranded its flagship vodka from Stolichnaya to Stoli to distance itself from Russia.
Since acquiring Tulchan, Shefler has undertaken substantial investments, including refurbishing the main B-listed Edwardian lodge. The estate now features a cinema, a wine-tasting room, and a recently added spa complex with a sauna, steam room, treatment suite, and an outdoor Japanese hot tub.
Luxurious Accommodations and Diversified Revenue Streams
The estate's principal residence, Tulchan Lodge, offers five principal reception rooms and fourteen en-suite bedrooms. A secondary property, Knocktulchan Lodge, provides an additional six en-suite bedrooms. The portfolio also includes four holiday cottages, which Savills notes contribute to annual income.
Operationally, the estate is highly diversified. It encompasses five tenanted farms, an in-hand farm, forestry operations, fishing lets, a seasonal restaurant named Feast, and a small meat box business called Take Tulchan Home. A key attraction is an eight-mile stretch of the world-famous River Spey, known as Tulchan Water.
Luke French, head of rural agency at Savills Scotland, stated: "Tulchan is an estate like no other. Multi-faceted rural enterprises of this calibre and scale are rare. A world-class hospitality offering runs in parallel with environmental stewardship of this glorious landscape. The vision to create something truly special is inspiring. The opportunity it offers is unmatched in Scotland today."
The Billionaire's Personal Life and Past Headlines
Born to a Russian Jewish family in Oryol, Shefler holds citizenship in the United Kingdom and Israel. He left the Russian army in 1987 and built a business career that included running a major Moscow shopping mall and heading Vnukovo Airlines before amassing his fortune in the alcohol industry.
Shefler was formerly married to Russian model Tatiana Kovylina until their split in 2021; they have four children and previously lived in Geneva. He has since been linked to Ksenia Sukhinova, Miss Russia 2007 and Miss World 2008. The oligarch divides his time between the UK and Switzerland.
In a past notable incident, Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly purchased Shefler's £300 million yacht, Serene, on the spot while holidaying in the south of France and requested the billionaire vacate the vessel the same day.
The sale of the entire 21,768-acre Speyside estate at a guide price of £67 million could set a new record for a Scottish sporting property, marking a dramatic chapter in the history of this iconic Highland destination.
