Khao Yai

Overview

Khao Yai is the birthplace and most celebrated wine region of Thailand, home to pioneers such as PB Valley Khao Yai Winery and the family-run GranMonte Estate. Vineyards sit on the Korat Plateau at elevations from 300 to over 600 meters above sea level, giving the area a tropical wet-and-dry savanna climate with a cooler, drier ripening window from November to February. Night temperatures can dip as low as 5 degrees Celsius while days warm to around 25 degrees, preserving acidity and allowing red varieties to color properly.

The Khao Yai Wine Geographical Indication, registered in 2018, covers Pak Chong and Wang Nam Khiao districts and mandates 100 percent fresh Vitis vinifera fruit grown and vinified to Thai Wine Association standards. Local soils are clay-rich with limestone parent material and plenty of calcium carbonate, while elevations create natural drainage and cool mountain breezes. Beyond Syrah and Chenin Blanc, growers successfully cultivate Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Viognier, Verdelho, and Grenache, producing everything from crisp whites and rosés to structured reds and sparkling wine.

Key Varietals

• SyrahA full-bodied red with dark blackberry fruit, black pepper, spice, and a smooth, rounded finish that has become Khao Yai's signature style.
• Chenin BlancA crisp, refreshing white with citrus, green apple, and tropical fruit flavors, naturally high in acidity and ideal for the warm Thai table.
• Cabernet SauvignonA structured red with cassis, dark berry, and herbal notes, ripening slowly on the plateau's elevated, well-drained sites.
• ViognierAn aromatic white with stone fruit, floral perfume, and a silky texture that responds well to the region's warm days and cool nights.