Thailand

Sensitive and wild, welcoming and exciting, and true products of the land, come and discover the fruit of Thai viticulture. Venture off the beaten path in the northeast of Bangkok, where graceful and historically rich vineyards await wine enthusiasts. Whether you're passionate or simply curious to learn more about Thai wine-making and taste, the twelve estates in the country will answer your questions while offering you a radiant landscape, quite unlike that of French vineyards.

The brief history of great Thai wines

Wine was introduced to Thailand by the French in the second half of the 17th century. However, Thailand's viticultural history truly began in 1995 with the opening of the first estate, Château de Loei, which is now abandoned. Subsequently, Gran Monte Estate opened its doors, and although inaugurated in 1999, it is just beginning to emerge. Due to wine promotion being prohibited in Thailand, Thai viticulture remained a taboo subject for a long time. A sommelier association was established, but, long associated with alcoholism, it was only officially recognized in 2015.

Grape varieties in Thailand

In Thailand, a dozen different grape varieties are cultivated.

For white wines, four grape varieties are found:

• Chenin Blanc
• Colombard
• Malaga Blanc
• Viognier

For red wines, eight are found:

• Black Queen & Pokdum
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Dornfelder
• Grenache
• Pinot Noir
• Sangiovese
• Shiraz/Syrah
• Tempranillo

The Khao Yai region, the holy grail of grand cru enthusiasts

The Khao Yai region is a veritable wine sanctuary. Located northeast of Bangkok, it is a must-visit for travelers wishing to venture off the beaten path. You will find a dozen estates, each more beautiful than the last, where you can freely wander to meet Thai winemakers. An unusual excursion now firmly rooted in the country's traditional culture will enchant you with its splendid landscapes, both similar to and very different from classic European wine landscapes. You will also have the opportunity to purchase on-site bottles of quality artisanal wine whose well-deserved reputation is still growing.

Recommendation

A domain's story

In Khao Yai, you can visit the PB Valley Khao Yai Winery. Its founder, Piya Bhirombhakdi, was an entrepreneur and winemaker whose dream was to offer Thailand the pride of internationally renowned wine. Having established his estate during the pioneering years of Thai wine history, it was a significant challenge.

His first vineyard covered an area of 20 hectares, cultivating Shiraz for red wine and Chenin Blanc for white wine. It was the 1998 harvest that allowed the estate to reach a new level of recognition among Thai winemakers.

The following year, his vintage proved that it was possible to produce high-quality wine in Thailand. Commercial success followed shortly after, and Piya Bhirombhakdi's dream became a reality, making him one of the pioneers of Thai viticulture.

When Khao Yai Winery was first opened, it was the only wine producer in the region. However, with the emergence of new wineries, it became inappropriate to mention the region's name on bottle labels. Khao Yai wine was then renamed PB Valley after the owner's initials.