Vineyards in Pak Chong District

Pak Chong district, on the Khao Yai escarpment, is home to three working wineries open for tours and tastings: GranMonte, PB Valley Khao Yai Winery and Alcidini. Elevation of roughly 350-550m keeps night temperatures cool enough for wine grapes to ripen — unusual for a tropical country, and the reason this corner of Nakhon Ratchasima has become Thailand’s best-known wine region.

GranMonte Vineyard and Winery is the most visitor-ready of the three: a family-run operation growing Syrah, Chenin Blanc and Verdelho, with a tasting room, restaurant and guided tours through the rows explaining how European techniques were adapted to Thai humidity and heat. PB Valley Khao Yai Winery, one of the larger wine estates in the region, grows international grape varieties for wine alongside seedless table grapes and runs tours through both the vineyard and the production facility with a tasting at the end. Alcidini Winery is the smallest and most specialised of the three, working almost entirely with Shiraz and Muscat Blue grapes grown at around 550m — the altitude gives strong daytime sun exposure combined with cool nights, and the estate leans toward pesticide-free, low-intervention growing.

All three wineries sit within a short drive of each other and of Khao Yai National Park, making a vineyard-hopping half-day realistic from a Khao Yai base. Visiting during the cool season (November-February) gives the most comfortable weather for walking the rows; the wet season (June-October) is when the vines are visibly at their most productive, though afternoon showers can cut a tour short. None of the three publishes fixed year-round tasting prices — GranMonte’s guided tour and tasting has run from around 590 THB per person, but confirm current rates and opening times by phone or website before driving out, especially outside weekends.

Insider Tip: Book ahead on weekends and around the annual Khao Yai Food & Wine Festival in mid-January, when all three wineries pour alongside each other and tours fill up fast.

Watch out: None of the vineyards are walkable from each other or from Pak Chong town — a car or arranged transport is necessary, and designated drivers are worth arranging if tastings are involved.