Wine Country Escape
GranMonte Vineyard and Winery
A cosy family atmosphere just steps away from Khao Yai National Park
GranMonte Estate is located just down Khao Yai hills, and that’s where it takes its name from (Gran Monte means big mountain in Italian language). Mr. Visooth Lohitnavy opened the vineyard in 1998 and his wife Sakuna and two daughters, Visootha (Nikki) and Suvisooth (Mimi) are actively working in the family business.
Nikki is an oenologist and she is also the first female winemaker in Thailand; she takes care of the vineyard and winery operations. At the moment they have several international varieties such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Semillon, Verdelho, Durif and Grenache, but also some others under experiment. Everything is monitored with a Smart system in order to achieve the best quality in tropical climate.
Vincotto restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine using traditional recipes from Lohitnavy family with a touch of innovation. 2017 Sakuna Syrah Rosé is a great pair with spicy Thai dishes and gives a touch of freshness and sweetness.
One of the newest releases is 2017 Gradient Syrah: a part of the grapes was whole-bunch fermented which shows some cool climate characters of plums, raspberry jam, with a hint of menthol, fine tannins and lingering finish of vanilla oak.
The multiple award winning 2017 GranMonte Durif is the only Durif grown and made in Thailand. It can be paired with spicy Thai dishes, pork, steak and sausage and it includes a mix of ripe mulberry, plum, black currant, cumin, vanilla and mocha oak.
The 120-seat restaurant atmosphere is cosy and there’s a beautiful deck overlooking the river (with the possibility of dining outdoor).
The vineyard tour takes guests through different grape varieties with the beautiful background of Khao Yai hills. Viticulture, techniques, climate and soil are briefly explained and the mini bus stops at the most scenic points of the estate for great Instagram opportunities. It’s also very interesting to visit the winery and the lab and take a look at the fermentation tanks, barrel room and winemaking machines. The tour ends at Montino Cellar Door, where guests can taste both the wine and the other culinary products, such as the delicious grape juice, the wine salt, red wine jellies, jam and cookies.
If you wish to stay overnight, GranMonte Guest House offers a pleasant retreat, surrounded by the 40 acres of vineyard. The Guest House is pet friendly and each room has a nice view either on the vineyard or on the forest.
GranMonte Vineyard and Winery
52 Moo 9 Phayayen, Pakchong, Nakornrachasima
Tel: 044 009 543-4, 081 900 8282, 080 661 7555
Open daily: 7:30am-8pm
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