| THAILAND - KHAO YAI AREA |
On a recent trip to Thailand, I decided to stay a few days at The Guest House in the GranMonte (big mountain) Vineyard. While on a visit to Thailand some years back, I stayed in nearby Pak Chong and visited the vineyard for lunch. At that time I had no idea there were ANY vineyards in Thailand let alone one producing such high quality wines and had always wanted to return. The Guest House (just4airlines property number P4516) is relatively new and was not open at the time of my earlier visit.In fact it is now 25 years since the first vineyard began operating in Thailand. But it took a while before quality wines were produced. Growing wine grapes in the tropics has many challenges and is very different from growing vines in the more temperate vineyard regions. The weather is never cold enough in Thailand for the vines to become dormant so pruning takes place twice a year (April and September) with one harvest in late January/February. Having said that, there is one vineyard south west of Bangkok which prunes less agressively and has two harvests a year but the grape quality is considered to be inferior. GranMonte Estate |
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GranMonte Vineyard:The GranMonte Estate is located in the Asoke Valley adjacent to Khao Yai National Park just two hours drive northeast of Bangkok. It is owned and operated by the Lohitnavy family - the owners daughter Visootha (Nikki) is the winemaker. She studied in Australia and has a Bachelors Degree in Oenology and an Honours Degree in Viticulture from the University of Adelaide. Nikki is the first overseas-trained Thai winemaker and the first qualified female winemaker in Thailand. She has also worked in the Quinta de Roriz Vineyard in Portugal, the Anwilka Vineyard in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the Chateau Angelus and La Fleur de Bouard Vineyards in St-Emilion, France, the Brown Brothers Winery in Victoria, Australia and the Wolf Blass Winery in South Australia. Visit GranMonte and you will feel at peace - it is so serene with spectacular scenery. The Lohitnavy family is very hospitable and they and their employees go out of their way to ensure your visit meets your expectations and more. The vineyard began operations in 1998 with the launch of the GranMonte wines in 2001. The 40-acre "Smart Vineyard" is the only vineyard in Thailand operating the Micro-Climate operating system. Throughout the rows of vines you will see equipment as shown to the right monitoring the climate in real time. I was privileged to be invited by Nikki Lohitnavy to join her on her early morning check of the vines - something she does regularly especially close to harvest time (at the time of my visit harvesting was expected to start in two weeks). Wine grapes include Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Verdelho, Canada Muscat and Semillon, plus they also grow several types of table grapes. Nikki also gave me a private tour of the winery which began its operations in 2009, and her passion for winemaking is very evident. The winery equipment is imported from Germany, Italy and Australia. GranMonte wines have been winning awards worldwide since 2006. |  |
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Photo Gallery of GranMonte Vineyard (all photo galleries open in a new window)
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The Guest House:The guesthouse is a seven bedroom building in the heart of the vineyard. To contact GranMonte Guest House, go here then scroll to the bottom and use the enquiry facility.Though busy on weekends, the guesthouse is often quiet on weekdays - I had the place to myself on my weekday stay. All rooms are en-suite with jungle or vineyard views. They are equipped with TV, air-con, free wi-fi, tea/coffee making facilities, stocked mini-bar, toiletries and bathrobes. And of course wine glasses and a corkscrew so you can utilize your purchases from Montino (see below)! | 
Front of The Guest House |
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Photo Gallery of GranMonte Guesthouse
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The Restaurant - VinCotto:
Breakfast is included in the guesthouse room rate and is served at the VinCotto Restaurant. Weather permitting, the restaurant's terrace is the perfect place to start your day! Do try the Thai style "Krata" eggs - delicious! In addition, VinCotto is open daily for lunch and dinner and serves excellent food with of course a selection of GranMonte wines!The staff are very knowledgeable and more than willing to help you with your selection and advising the perfect match of food and wine. | 
VinCotto's terrace by the lily pond |
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Photo Gallery of VinCotto Restaurant
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Cellar Door - Montino:
GranMonte's shop - Montino - sells wines, grape juice, jams, cookies and other products. Free tasting available of the wines, juice and salad dressings. There's also a seating area and a coffee bar.As a resident of the Guesthouse, you will receive a Member Card which entitles you to a discount in both the restaurant and shop. | 
Montino |
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Getting There:
You need a car but rental in Thailand is not expensive. A Toyota VIOS was delivered to me at the airport terminal. The drive to GranMonte takes about 2 hours. From the airport take Highway 7 towards Bangkok, then Highway 9 to Bang Pa-In. Highway 9 is a toll road - you will need to pay two 30baht tolls. Go the whole length of Highway 9 and you will meet Highway 1 (please note there are no service centres on Highway 9 - if you need fuel, come off at any exit, gas stations are plentiful just off the highway). Take Highway 1 to Saraburi. When you reach Saraburi take Highway 2 (Mitrapab Highway) towards Nakhon Ratchasima. After kilometer 36 (the km markers are very obvious and this one is just after Muak Lek) make a U-turn* and then turn left by the Dairy Home Restaurant on to Phansuk-Kudkhla Road. There is a purple sign for GranMonte at this junction. The vineyard is another 12km and is well sign-posted.* - note on the U-turn, to be able to make the left turn at Dairy Home Restaurant, you need to take the 2nd (or later) U-turn after the 36km marker but at times some of the U-turns are closed so you may have to go further than the 2nd one. |
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What To Do:
GranMonte offers vineyard tours on weekends (plus weekdays by arrangement). You will visit the winery where they produced 70,000 bottles of wine in 2011 (60% red, 30% white, 10% rose). In 2012 they are hoping to produce 100,000 bottles. The reds and some whites are aged in oak barrels imported from France and the US. GranMonte Vineyard Website |
Photo Gallery of GranMonte Winery |
| Not far from GranMonte is the PB Valley Vineyard. Much larger then GranMonte, it also offers tours with wine tasting and has accommodation - but be prepared for the bus loads of tourists! PB Valley Website |
Photo Gallery of PB Valley
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| Jungle House is a resort about 15 minutes drive from GranMonte. You are free to wander around the resort (just ask at the front desk) and even take an elephant ride. Jungle House Website |
Photo Gallery of Jungle House
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| Palio is a rather out-of-place Italian-style village about 5 minutes north of Jungle House. It includes many restaurants, coffee shops and gift shops. Incongruous but a good place to stop for lunch or drinks. |
Photo Gallery of Palio
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| Lam Takhong is a large lake and dam area, east on Highway 2 about 45 minutes from GranMonte. When you see people almost leaping in front of your car to direct you to their lakeside restaurant, you know you've arrived - very agressive marketing! If you go beyond the first strip of restaurants you will come to a park area. Free parking and some great views from here - food and drinks are available. Even further east are more lakeside restaurants. |
Photo Gallery of Lam Takhong
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| If you are travelling with children, they will love Chokchai Farm. This farm of 80 acres is located on Highway 2 about 30 minutes from GranMonte. Tours are available but do check the times as on weekdays they do not operate very often - advance booking suggested. Accommodation available at Farm Chokchai Camp. Chokchai Farm Website. |
Photo Gallery of Chokchai Farm
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Also for kids:
- just north of Palio is place where children can feed elephants and ride on them.
- and just a little further north of that is a go-kart track with karts to rent for all ages. |
Photo Gallery of Children's Activities
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| Khao Yai National Park is located about 20 minutes south of GranMonte. It is an ASEAN Heritage Park of over 2,0000 sq kms. Flora and fauna abound - if you're lucky you will see wild elephants, becoming a rarity in Thailand. Head to the visitors centre on arrival - guides are available. |
Do make time to stop by the roadside stalls as you are driving around - you won't be disappointed!  |
If you are planning a trip to Thailand and have any questions, I'd be happy to try to help - just send email to me (Yvonne) at media@just4airlines.com.
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