Sensitive and wild, welcoming and captivating, and true expressions of terroir, discover the fruits of Thai viticulture. Venture off the beaten path to the northeast of Bangkok where graceful, history-laden vineyards await wine enthusiasts. Whether you're a passionate connoisseur or simply curious about harvests and the taste of Thai wine, the country's twelve estates will answer your questions while offering landscapes that radiate beauty—strikingly different from traditional French vineyard regions.

A Brief History of Thailand's Fine Wines

Wine was introduced to Thailand by the French as early as the second half of the 17th century. However, Thailand's true winemaking history began in 1995 with the opening of its first estate, Château de Loei, which is now abandoned. Subsequently, Gran Monte opened its doors and, though inaugurated in 1999, has only recently begun to gain traction. Since wine promotion is prohibited in Thailand, Thai viticulture long remained a taboo subject. A sommeliers' association emerged but, long associated with alcoholism, was not officially recognized until 2015.

Grape Varieties in Thailand

Twelve different grape varieties are cultivated in Thailand.

For white wines, there are four varieties:

• Chenin Blanc
• Colombard
• Malaga Blanc
• Viognier

For red wines, there are eight:

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

The Khao Yai Region: A Mecca for Wine Lovers

The Khao Yai region is a true viticultural sanctuary. Located northeast of Bangkok, it is an unmissable destination for travelers seeking adventures beyond the ordinary. You'll discover a dozen estates, each more beautiful than the last, where you can wander freely and meet Thai winemakers. An extraordinary experience now woven into the country's traditional culture, it will enchant you with splendid landscapes—both similar to and distinctly different from classical European vineyard regions.

You'll also have the opportunity to purchase locally-produced artisanal wines of fine quality, whose well-deserved reputation is still waiting to be discovered.

Recommendation

A Winery's Story

At Khao Yai, you can visit PB Valley Khao Yai Winery. Its founder, Piya Bhirombhakdi, was an entrepreneur and vintner whose dream was to give Thailand the pride of internationally-renowned wine. Creating his estate during the pioneering years of Thai viticulture was a tremendous challenge.

His first vineyard spanned 20 hectares, with Shiraz cultivated for red wine and Chenin Blanc for white. The 1998 harvest proved to be a turning point, earning the estate recognition among Thai winemakers.

The following year, his vintage proved that world-class wine could be produced in Thailand. Commercial success followed shortly after, and Piya Bhirombhakdi's dream became reality, making him one of the pioneers of Thai viticulture.

When Khao Yai Winery opened, it was the region's only wine producer. However, with the arrival of new wineries, it became inappropriate to use the region's name on bottle labels. Khao Yai wine was then rebranded as PB Valley, after the owner's initials.

When Khao Yai Winery was established, it stood alone as the region's wine producer. However, as new vineyards emerged, using the region's name on wine labels became impractical. The wine from Khao Yai was therefore renamed PB Valley, after the initials of the estate's proprietor.