GranMonte Vineyards & Winery Khao Yai, Thailand
Words: Monica Tindall
Photos: Han Sen Hau
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Khao Yai, Thailand, lies a unique winemaking region slowly gaining international recognition. GranMonte Wines, a family-owned and operated winery, has been producing some of the finest wines in the region, offering a unique taste of Thailand’s winemaking prowess.
A Family Affair GranMonte Wines
It’s a family affair at GranMonte with Visooth and Sakuna Lohitnavy and their two daughters, Mimi and Nikki, managing the entire operation. Before purchasing the plot in 1999, the area was soil for corn and cashews. A decade later, in 2009, the vineyard officially opened. While Mum and Dad direct the business, Mimi handles marketing, and Nikki is the winemaker. A proud achievement is Nikki’s University of Adelaide degree in oenology with honours in viticulture, making her the only recognised Thai winemaker in the country!
Terroir &Tradition
Khao Yai’s Asoke Valley, where GranMonte resides, boasts a unique terroir – a combination of geographical features, climate, and soil composition that shapes the character of the grapes. The valley’s well-drained, red clay soil, coupled with the cooling influence of the surrounding mountains and distinct wet and dry seasons, provides the perfect platform for a diverse range of grape varietals to flourish. GranMonte embraces a philosophy of “The best fruit of Thai soil, bottled.” They cultivate a medley of grapes, including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Verdelho, Petite Sirah, and Grenache.
Within the constraints of temperature and humidity, the team does what it can to create sustainable viticulture practices. An electronic monitoring system allows them to deliver precise conditions, such as pest control and water, according to the vines’ needs.
Recognising their unique microclimate, winemaker Nikki doesn’t try to mimic old-world wine profiles. Instead, she seeks to express the distinctive character GranMonte’s terroir offers. Looking closely at the vineyards and cellars, she’s a true scientist at heart, experimenting with diverse grapes and winemaking methods. While it produces only 120 000 bottles a year, GranMonte uses stainless steel tanks, three different types of oak (French, American and Hungarian), and amphora vessels for natural wine. They make sparkling, white, rosé and red wines and even send their pomace to a local distiller for grappa production.
A Journey Through the Vines
Tours of the vineyard are open to the public. Tours are priced at THB 450 per adult and are offered daily. Starting from their gourmet shop and cellar door, guests ride on a buggy with a tour guide around the plot. The tour takes you past different grape varietals, offering many opportunities to see the trellising system and get close to the vines. Of course, there are several lovely spots for photos across the vineyards with the rolling hills as a backdrop.
Later, you get a look into GranMonte’s winemaking room. It’s cool inside and filled with shiny new stainless-steel tanks, several amphora vessels, a lab, a bottling and labelling machine, and a lovely cellar of oak barrels.
Wine Tasting Khao Yai
Following the vineyards and cellars, guests taste four preselected wines, two white and two red, alongside a small plate of cheese and house-made bread. (The bread is delicious, reminding me of Brazilian pão de queijo – cheese bread).
For those seeking a lighter experience, the Viognier and Chenin Blanc offer enticing aromatics with floral and citrus notes, perfect for a balmy Khao Yai afternoon. Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the complexity of the Syrah and Petite Sirah, boasting bold flavours of dark fruit, pepper, and spice. GranMonte also produces a sweet wine, the Bussaba, which is an interesting indulgence for those with a penchant for dessert wines. And their grappa is sip-worthy, too. However, the pride and joy of current production is their flagship Asoke series, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It has garnered international acclaim, with vintages like the 2009 winning gold medals at prestigious competitions like AWC Vienna and Wine Style Asia.
Beyond the Grape – VinCotto Restaurant
If you want to stay a little longer, you can further extend your tasting with a full meal. We don’t have time for this, but VinCotto, the winery’s 120-seat restaurant, is a pretty location with a menu serving everything from cheese platters to full-course menus.
GranMonte Winery Khao Yai Review
GranMonte proves that Thai winemaking is no longer just a novelty but a movement to be taken seriously. Over two decades of family investment in experimenting and refining the product is paying off. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply embarking on your first foray into the world of vintages, GranMonte offers a memorable experience. It’s a place to celebrate local innovation crafted from Thailand’s soil amidst the pretty natural beauty of Khao Yai. So, raise a glass to GranMonte, where passion for wine meets the magic of place.
Reasons to visit GranMonte Vineyards & Winery Khao Yai, Thailand: pretty location, a great introduction to Thai wine, food-friendly wines and must try their grappa.
GranMonte Vineyards & Winery
Khao Yai GranMonte Vineyard & Wines
52 Moo 9 Phayayen, Pakchong,
Nakornrachasima, Thailand 30320
Link to GranMonte on Google Maps
+044-009-543, 044-009-544
+081-900-8282, 080-661-7555
[email protected]
@granmontewines
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Looks interesting.