Our vineyards
are located in various parts of the country in distinct micro-climates that we believe have the ability to grow grapes for the production of wine.
We currently have approximately 200 acres of vineyards, with roughly 50 acres under vine, spread across nine sites throughout the country.
Learn more about each vineyard below.
Since growing vitis vinifera has not been done in Bhutan before, we don’t have historical data to rely upon with respect to which varietals will thrive, nor which altitudes and/or microclimates are best suited for growing wine grapes. Consequently, we are using a combination of research and trial and error. We currently have vineyards planted as low as 500 feet in elevation and as high as 8,800 feet. And we currently have sixteen different varietals planted, nine red (Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sangiovese, and Tempranillo) and seven white (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Vidal and Traminette). We plant multiple varietals in each vineyard and then scale the ones that perform well.
About The Vineyards
Click on the vineyard name in each box below to see its satellite view.
The Eastern Vineyards
With lower altitudes, hot summers and moderate winters, the eastern side of Bhutan has growing conditions ideal for wine grapes, and more specifically red grapes that require a lot of sunlight to achieve optimal ripeness such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Situated in the country's warm eastern side, the GorTshalu vineyard is currently our largest vineyard under vine, with approximately 30 acres planted and an additional 40 acres marked for future planting. This beautifully scenic vineyard is located at about 1,500 feet in altitude. It relishes day-time hot temperatures and dry climate year-round, and benefits from the cooling effect of the river just below the vineyard slopes.
First planting Summer 2021.
Also located in Eastern Bhutan, this vineyard is located at about 3,000 feet in elevation. Nestled in a flat valley, these vines experience year-round warmth, and ranges of up to 100 F in the summer months. This flat vineyard utilizes VSP trellising and the high vigor soil provides excellent growing conditions for darker skinned grapes.
Planted Spring 2019.
The Norzenthang site is our newest vineyard, and, along with the GorTshalu and Lingmethang vineyards, is located in Eastern Bhutan. Perched on a sloped hill high above the river, this vineyard offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and can be seen from the road leading from the nearby city of Trashigang to the GorTshalu vineyard. Twenty acres were planted in Spring 2023, with another 50 acres available for future plantings.
First planting Spring 2023.
The Western Vineyards
The west side of Bhutan has higher altitudes, and correspondingly cooler temperatures. Longer more moderate growing seasons offers opportunities to explore varietals which thrive under cooler conditions, such as Pinot Noir and Riesling.
Located just above the town of Paro, near the international airport, sits our Paro vineyard. Located at around 7,500 feet in elevation, the Paro vineyard offers majestic 360 degree views of the Paro valley and its surrounding peaks. This vineyard has terraced slopes, where we have planted head-trained vines at ten foot spacing intervals to take advantage of the drying local winds. Additionally, we have two flat blocks, one which is planted with north-south rows and one with east-west rows. Both blocks utilize VSP trellises.
Planted Spring 2019.
The Pinsa vineyard is our largest vineyard in the western part of Bhutan and sits about two hours drive from the Bajo vineyard. It currently has approximately ten acres planted, with the capacity to scale to about twenty-five acres in total. This picturesque vineyard sits on sandy soil in a steep valley on the banks of the river and benefits from its cooling breezes during the hot summer months.
First planting Summer 2021.
Nestled in the beautiful Punakha Valley, this vineyard relishes dry, hot temperatures throughout the year as it sits in a protective rain shadow and enjoys gentle warming breezes year round. Our red varietals, particularly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, are flourishing here. The Bajo vineyard is completely flat, at around 4,000 feet in elevation, and is located just above the Sankosh river. This vineyard also utilizes VSP trellises.
Planted Spring 2019.
Located outside of Bhutan's capital city of Thimphu, on the East West road from Thimphu to Punakha, this gorgeous vineyard offers stunning views of the valley below and a dizzying array of Himalayan peaks. This is our second highest vineyard situated at 8,800 feet in altitude, and is located just two miles from the Ser Bhum vineyard, on the valley slope on the other side of the valley. This vineyard utilizes 100% organic farming methods, giving us the opportunity to develop the specific protocols and techniques for successfully farming organically in Bhutan. Its steep terraced southeast facing slopes are planted with both single and double rows of vines, which are head trained.
Planted Spring 2019.
Perched on steep hillsides of the valley taking travelers from the capital city of Thimphu to the Dorchalu Pass, the Ser Bhum vineyard is our highest elevation vineyard at approximately 8,900 feet in elevation. With approximately three acres currently under vine, we are learning how altitude impacts vinifera in Bhutan, with varietals like Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc performing quite well.
Planted Spring 2019.
The Southern Vineyards
Southern Bhutan has a hot, tropical climate and lower altitudes. Currently, we have one test vineyard located in this region which by early measures is thriving. Due to the exciting potential of a reverse cycle harvest, we believe there is potential for further expansion in the future here.
Experimental Vineyard
The Gelephu vineyard is currently our first vineyard located in Southern Bhutan, which boasts a tropical climate where fruits like mandarin oranges and bananas flourish. This vineyard is an exciting experimental vineyard for us, where we are experimenting with the possibility of a reverse cycle harvest—where grapes would be harvested in the Spring. This is exciting as it would allow for the opportunity to dual-harvest, as the hot climate here precludes the grapes going into dormancy here in the winter like all of the other vineyards (whose harvest is in Summer/Fall).
Planted Fall 2022.
