Thai Wine Is About To Take Off And This Luxury Hotel Wants To Give You A Taste

Looking out over the vineyards of central Thailand

Monsoon Valley Winery

Thailand is known for many magical things. Wine isn’t one of them. But among the world class beaches, stunning tropical panorama, and immensely flavorful cuisine of the country there exists a burgeoning grape-growing scene. These viticultural aspirations are primarily promoted in and around Hua Hin—along the northwest coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Now one luxury hotel from the region is teaming up with a local winery to introduce the flavors to a global audience.

Earlier this year, V Villas Hua Hin launched its Monsoon Valley Wine package. It includes a grand tasting and private vineyard tour of the award-winning winery, plus a four-course dinner at Villazzo Restaurant, where guests experience how the juice pairs alongside traditional Thai dishes.

And yes, we did say award-winning winery. Monsoon Valley has taken home a handful of hardware since its founding over 20 years ago. Most recently it hauled in a gold medal (and many more silvers) at the International Wine Challenge in Vienna.

Signature varieties grown on the property include Shiraz, Colombard and Merlot. The grapes actually thrive in this particular microclimate, where loamy-sand and slate soil encourages robust growth, cooled by the ocean breeze that blows in consistently from the south.

It’s not just the grapes that appreciate the landscape. It’s also especially scenic for humans, too. The rolling earth underneath the vineyard is backdropped by majestic coastal peaks in just about every direction. And a tour through the grounds here is hardly your typical winery experience. You’re spirited through vines either on bicycle or by Land Rover. There are even elephants to be found on the 270-acre property.

SAMUT SAKORN, THAILAND: TO GO WITH AFPLIFESTYLE-THAILAND-WINE A Thai worker at a winery check seals … [+] of wine bottles prior to final packing in Samut Sakorn province, 40 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, 12 January 2007. The kingdom, long renowned for great food, has never quite garnered the same reputation for wine, but experts say that by concentrating on wines that match the country’s famously fiery food, international recognition will follow. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

And just how does the wine taste? Well, the star of the show is undoubtedly the Merlot. It’s bright and brimming with dark berry fruit, while boasting a fair bit of body and soft tannins. It’s just the sort of juice you’d want to pair with rich protein dishes dressed in fish sauce—maybe chicken wings, or pork larb. But if you’ve signed up for the hotel package, you’ll be able to let the talented chefs at Villazzo perfect the pairing potentiality.

The elegant restaurant is the signature dining destination at V Villas Hua Hin. Tasting menus are presented in a modern setting, steps from the beach. The property itself offers a total of 19 luxury standalone suites, which each come with their own private pool and 24-hour butler. Regular room rates start at around $600 per night.

It’s a popular retreat for Bangkok natives on weekend holiday. But the region, about a three hour drive southwest of the capital city, is becoming increasingly popular with a global audience. And now it’s the wine’s turn.

The “V Villas x Monsoon Valley” package includes a one night stay at a private pool suite—with a floating breakfast option—along with transportation to and from the winery, with tastings, jungle biking, and vineyard jeep tour, before concluding in a four-course Thai dinner and wine pairing at Villazzo. You can enjoy the experience throughout the year, though the ideal time to take advantage of it is is during the February grape harvest season.

A pool villa suite at V Villas in Hua Hin

V Villas Hua Hin