GranMonte Vineyard and Winery

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Vineyard And Winery Tour On Weekdays 10.00, 11.30, 13.30, 15.00, 16.00 / Weekends And Public Holidays 09.00, 10.00, 11.30, 13.30, 15.00, 16.30 / VinCotto Restaurant 07.30 – 22.00

 

GranMonte Vineyard and Winery in Nakhon Ratchasima is one of Thailand’s leading vineyard and winery destinations, located at 52 Moo 9 on Phansuek – Kut Khla Road in Phaya Yen Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Set in Asoke Valley near the foothills of Khao Yai, GranMonte is surrounded by green hills, gentle slopes, open skies, and neatly arranged rows of vines. The name GranMonte is inspired by Khao Yai, meaning “big mountain,” and the setting reflects that identity clearly. This is not only a vineyard for wine production, but also an agricultural tourism destination where visitors can learn about grape growing, winemaking, vineyard technology, dining, accommodation, and the rise of Thai wine in one complete estate experience.

 

The appeal of GranMonte lies in the way it allows visitors to see Thai wine from its real source. From grapevines and vineyard rows to microclimate monitoring, harvest timing, winemaking, aging, bottling, tasting, and dining, the estate presents a complete story of wine production in Thailand. Many travelers know Khao Yai for mountains, cafés, resorts, and the national park, but GranMonte adds another layer to the region by presenting Khao Yai as a wine-producing area with serious agricultural and technical foundations. A visit here is therefore both relaxing and educational, suitable for people who want to understand how premium agricultural products are created in a tropical environment.

 

The main GranMonte estate covers about 100 rai, or 40 acres, at around 350 meters above sea level in Asoke Valley. The vineyard sits on gentle slopes with a mesoclimate suitable for growing wine grapes in a tropical region. Major grape varieties grown here include Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Durif, Grenache, Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon. Alternative varieties include Merlot, Malbec, Barbera, Marsanne, and Roussanne. This range of varieties gives the estate a broad winemaking character and helps visitors understand that grape selection must match soil, climate, slope, sunlight, and the intended wine style.

 

GranMonte is also notable for its use of Smart Vineyard precision farming and microclimate monitoring. This system helps track temperature, humidity, and environmental factors that influence grape quality. Such technology is essential because wine grapes are highly sensitive to growing conditions. Small differences in climate, rainfall, sunlight, humidity, and airflow can affect sugar, acidity, tannin, aroma, and the overall balance of the grapes. By using data in vineyard management, GranMonte can make more precise decisions and maintain quality in a region that was once considered unconventional for wine production.

 

The development of GranMonte is closely tied to the vision of the Lohitnavy family. The family began transforming land that had once been a cornfield and cashew orchard in 1999. They gradually studied soil, planted vines, selected suitable Vitis vinifera varieties, and developed the idea of producing 100% Thai wines from grapes grown on Khao Yai land. This background makes GranMonte more than a tourism business. It is the result of long-term experimentation, agricultural learning, and a serious commitment to tropical viticulture and winemaking.

 

Key figures behind GranMonte include Visooth Lohitnavy, CEO and Managing Director; Sakuna Lohitnavy, President; Nikki Lohitnavy, Oenologist and General Manager; and Mimi Lohitnavy, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. The family-owned character gives the estate a distinctive identity. It combines technical ambition with hospitality, wine education, tourism, product development, and a clear story of how Thai wine can be created from local land with international-level expertise.

 

The estate’s timeline helps explain its depth. The first roots were planted in 1999. In 2003, GranMonte introduced its first wines from the 2001 vintage. In 2006, it began its vineyard and winery tour, one of the earliest complete winery-tour experiences in Thailand. In 2008, Nikki Lohitnavy graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Oenology and Honours in Viticulture. In 2009, Asoke Valley Winery began operating. These milestones show how the estate grew from a family vision into a recognized Thai winery.

 

GranMonte also plays an important role in the development of Khao Yai Wine as a Geographical Indication. This recognition connects wine quality with origin, climate, soil, and regional identity. For international visitors, this helps explain that Khao Yai wine is not a novelty detached from place. It is tied to a specific landscape and production region. The concept of geographical identity gives depth to the travel experience because visitors can see the vineyard, taste the product, and understand the land behind the wine in one place.

 

The Vineyard and Winery Tour is the main activity for visitors who want the full GranMonte experience. The tour takes guests through the 100-rai vineyard, introduces wine grape cultivation in a tropical region, visits the on-site winery, and ends with a tasting flight of four selected wines paired with artisanal bites. Participants under 20 years old receive GranMonte grape juice instead of wine, making the experience suitable for groups with different ages. Multiple daily tour rounds make it easier to combine the visit with lunch, dinner, shopping, or nearby attractions.

 

Seeing GranMonte’s vineyard is different from visiting an ordinary fruit farm. Visitors do not simply look at attractive grape clusters. They learn that wine grapes are grown with a specific purpose. Sugar, acidity, tannin, aromatic compounds, ripeness, and harvest timing all affect the final wine. The decision to harvest and the choice of wine style depend on both scientific data and the experience of the winemaker. This makes the visit deeper than a scenic walk; it shows how agricultural decisions shape flavor, structure, and identity.

 

Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are familiar red wine varieties, while Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon are connected with white wine styles that can express freshness, fruit, acidity, and balance. Growing these varieties in Khao Yai requires careful vineyard management, including row alignment, canopy control, pruning, disease prevention, and harvest timing. The ability to cultivate multiple grape varieties in this tropical environment reflects the estate’s technical knowledge and long-term experimentation.

 

The landscape of GranMonte is one of the reasons visitors remember it. Vineyard rows lie against a backdrop of hills and the green atmosphere of Asoke Valley. The setting feels calm, romantic, and scenic without losing its working-estate character. It is suitable for couples, families, food-and-wine travelers, photographers, and visitors who want a more refined experience than a quick café stop. The estate allows visitors to spend time with the view, join a tour, shop for products, dine, or stay overnight.

 

VinCotto Restaurant completes the estate experience. Located within the vineyard, it offers indoor and outdoor dining in a natural setting. The menu includes Thai and Western dishes, and many dishes are connected to ingredients from the vineyard or local Khao Yai farms, such as grapes, vine leaves, herbs, vegetables, and seasonal produce. Dining at VinCotto helps visitors understand the relationship between vineyard, wine, food, and region. For many travelers, it is one of the most memorable parts of a GranMonte visit.

 

GranMonte Shop is the place where visitors can buy estate products and souvenirs. Items may include wines, grape juice, grape-based products, local goods, and GranMonte-branded gifts. This shop is important because it connects the tour experience with products visitors can take home. A bottle, a juice, or a vineyard souvenir becomes a reminder of Khao Yai’s wine landscape and of the estate’s agricultural identity.

 

GranMonte Wine Cottage offers accommodation inside the estate. It is suitable for visitors who want to stay longer and experience the vineyard beyond a short daytime stop. Guests can wake up to views of vine rows, mountain ranges, and the valley’s tropical greenery. Staying overnight is especially useful for travelers who want to dine at VinCotto, enjoy a slower wine-country itinerary, or avoid driving long distances after an evening meal.

 

GranMonte is also significant as an example of New Latitude Wine. Traditional wine regions are usually associated with cooler or temperate climates, but Khao Yai demonstrates that wine grapes can be grown in a tropical environment when vineyard techniques are adapted properly. International visitors who are familiar with wine from Europe, Australia, South Africa, or the Americas may find GranMonte particularly interesting because it shows a different model of wine production. It presents Thai wine not as imitation, but as a regional expression shaped by local climate and land.

 

International awards have helped strengthen GranMonte’s reputation. The estate has received recognition from international wine competitions, including multiple Best National Producer – Thailand awards at AWC Vienna and awards from the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition. GranMonte wines have also been served at important national events, including APEC 2022 Thailand. These achievements show that the estate plays a larger role than tourism alone. It has become one of the key names representing Thai wine internationally.

 

GranMonte has also been recognized in tourism and agritourism contexts. Its strength as a travel destination comes not only from the beauty of the vineyard, but from the complete visitor experience: guided tours, technical content, restaurant, shop, accommodation, product identity, and a clear agricultural story. Visitors are not left to walk through a vineyard without context. They are introduced to how vines, climate, soil, human knowledge, and winemaking come together.

 

The estate’s Dark Sky Vineyard recognition adds another dimension to its environmental story. This status reflects efforts to reduce light pollution and preserve a night-sky environment suitable for stargazing. When vineyard scenery, mountains, food, wine, and dark skies are brought together, GranMonte becomes a place that can be appreciated both during the day and at night. It also connects agricultural tourism with environmental awareness in a subtle but meaningful way.

 

Getting There is easiest by private car or rental car. From Bangkok, take Mittraphap Road through Saraburi and Muak Lek toward Phaya Yen. Continue onto Phansuek – Kut Khla Road, the same route used to access PB Valley Khao Yai Winery, and drive toward Asoke Valley. From Nakhon Ratchasima city, travel along Mittraphap Road toward Pak Chong and Phaya Yen, then continue by local roads into the valley. Private transport gives visitors the best flexibility for combining the vineyard with restaurants, hotels, and nearby attractions.

 

Travelers without a private car can first travel to Muak Lek or Pak Chong by public van or bus, then continue by hired local transport. Since GranMonte is located inside a valley rather than directly on a major public transport route, advance arrangement is recommended. This is especially important for international travelers, small groups, and visitors who need to match transportation with a specific tour schedule.

 

The best time to visit depends on what visitors want to experience. For pleasant vineyard scenery and comfortable weather, the cool season and the period after the rainy season are attractive. For visitors who want to learn about the grape-growing cycle, the tour provides context even when the vineyard is not in peak fruiting condition. Since vineyard appearance changes with pruning, growth, fruiting, and harvest, each visit can offer a different view of the estate.

 

For families, GranMonte provides a polished agricultural learning experience. Children and young travelers can learn about grapes, vineyard management, technology, and how agricultural products become higher-value goods. Participants under 20 years old receive grape juice instead of wine during the tasting component, allowing family groups to join the tour together. The experience is educational without feeling like a classroom.

 

For couples, GranMonte offers a romantic atmosphere through its vineyard views, mountain setting, restaurant, and wine cottage. A lunch or dinner at VinCotto can turn a short visit into a more memorable travel moment. Staying overnight at Wine Cottage adds privacy and allows guests to enjoy morning and evening light over the vines. This makes the estate suitable for weekends, celebrations, and relaxed Khao Yai getaways.

 

For international travelers, GranMonte introduces Thailand from a perspective beyond beaches, temples, and big cities. Visitors can see how Thai agriculture, tropical viticulture, food culture, and hospitality meet in one place. The estate helps explain why Khao Yai is increasingly recognized as a wine-country destination and why Thai wine has gained attention among chefs, sommeliers, and curious travelers.

 

A half-day itinerary can include the Vineyard and Winery Tour, a meal at VinCotto, and shopping at GranMonte Shop. A full-day itinerary can combine GranMonte with PB Valley Khao Yai Winery, Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram, Primo Piazza, The Chocolate Factory Khao Yai, Khao Yai National Park, or Khao Yai Art Museum. The tour schedule should be the anchor of the day, because the guided experience runs at specific times.

 

PB Valley Khao Yai Winery is a natural nearby stop for travelers interested in wine and vineyards. Visiting both GranMonte and PB Valley in one day allows guests to compare two important names in the Khao Yai wine region. The vineyards differ in atmosphere, route, dining experience, product identity, and visitor experience. Together, they create a fuller picture of wine tourism in Khao Yai.

 

Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram, also known for its large white Buddha image, adds a cultural and spiritual element to the route. Visitors can stop there before or after the vineyard to see the mountain setting and pay respect. This combination is useful for travelers who want a day that includes both agriculture and Thai Buddhist culture.

 

Primo Piazza and The Chocolate Factory Khao Yai are suitable for photography, desserts, light activities, and family-friendly stops after the vineyard tour. Khao Yai National Park is ideal for travelers who want to connect the wine-country experience with larger natural landscapes, waterfalls, viewpoints, wildlife, and forest trails. This combination shows how Khao Yai can offer nature, food, wine, art, and culture in one journey.

 

Nearby dining options range from VinCotto inside the estate to well-known restaurants around Khao Yai, including The Great Hornbill Grill at PB Valley, The Chocolate Factory Khao Yai, Krua Kampan Khaoyai, Krua Khao Yai Restaurant, and Midwinter Khao Yai. Visitors who want the most direct vineyard experience should dine at VinCotto. Those who want to continue into Mu Si or Thanarat Road can choose from a wider range of restaurants and cafés.

 

Accommodation options include GranMonte Wine Cottage inside the estate and nearby hotels such as The Peri Hotel Khao Yai, Rain Tree Khao Yai Hotel, The Series Resort Khaoyai, U Khao Yai, and InterContinental Khao Yai Resort. Visitors who want the most immersive vineyard stay should choose GranMonte Wine Cottage. Those planning to explore Khao Yai National Park or Mu Si may prefer hotels closer to the park entrance or Thanarat Road.

 

Good vineyard etiquette matters because GranMonte is a working agricultural estate. Visitors should stay on designated paths, avoid entering planting rows without permission, avoid touching or picking grapes, and follow the guide’s instructions during the tour. Those participating in wine tasting should plan transportation responsibly, especially if driving. Staying overnight or assigning a non-drinking driver can make the trip safer and more comfortable.

 

Before traveling, visitors should reserve the vineyard tour during weekends, holidays, and peak season, check restaurant availability, wear comfortable shoes, prepare sun protection for outdoor areas, and allow extra travel time on Mittraphap Road and Khao Yai routes. These practical preparations help visitors enjoy the estate more fully and avoid rushing through the experience.

 

Overall, GranMonte Vineyard and Winery is one of the clearest examples of how Khao Yai has developed beyond ordinary mountain tourism. It brings together landscape, agriculture, vineyard science, winemaking, food, accommodation, family enterprise, and international recognition. Visitors can see that Thai wine is not a temporary novelty, but the result of decades of experimentation, technical knowledge, and a deep relationship with the land.

 

GranMonte is suitable for travelers who want to understand Khao Yai in a deeper way. It is ideal for Thai travelers curious about local wine, international visitors interested in wine tourism, families seeking educational travel, couples looking for a romantic vineyard setting, and anyone who wants a complete food-and-agriculture experience in Nakhon Ratchasima. In one visit, guests can tour the vineyard, learn about the winery, dine, shop, photograph the scenery, and stay among the vines, making GranMonte one of the most important agritourism and wine destinations in Thailand.

 

 

A: GranMonte Vineyard And Winery is located at 52 Moo 9, Phansuek – Kut Khla Road, Phaya Yen Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, in Asoke Valley near Khao Yai.

 

A: GranMonte is open daily. Vineyard And Winery Tours run on weekdays at 10.00, 11.30, 13.30, 15.00, and 16.00, and on weekends and public holidays at 09.00, 10.00, 11.30, 13.30, 15.00, and 16.30. VinCotto Restaurant opens from 07.30 to 22.00.

 

A: The Vineyard & Winery Tour costs 690 baht for adults and 590 baht for participants under 20 years old. Participants under 20 receive grape juice instead of wine.

 

A: Visitors can see the vineyard, Asoke Valley Winery, tasting room, GranMonte Shop, VinCotto Restaurant, GranMonte Wine Cottage, and scenic vineyard views surrounded by Khao Yai mountain ranges.

 

A: Major varieties include Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Durif, Grenache, Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon, along with alternative varieties used in GranMonte wine production.

 

A: From Mittraphap Road, travel into Phaya Yen and continue along Phansuek – Kut Khla Road, the same route used for PB Valley Khao Yai Winery. Private car, rental car, or arranged transport is the most convenient option.

 

A: Nearby places include PB Valley Khao Yai Winery, Wat Thep Phithak Punnaram, Primo Piazza Khao Yai, The Chocolate Factory Khao Yai, Khao Yai National Park, Khao Yai Art Museum, and Farm Chokchai.

 

A: GranMonte is suitable for Thai wine enthusiasts, agritourism travelers, families, couples, international visitors, food and wine travelers, and anyone who wants to experience Khao Yai through vineyard scenery, winemaking, dining, and local produce.