Asia’s Unexpected Vineyards: Wines You Didn’t Know Existed with DTH Travel
04-Sep-2025
Category: News Stories
When it comes to wine, our minds usually wander to Bordeaux, Tuscany, or Napa. But across Asia, vineyards are quietly thriving — reshaping the world’s wine map with bottles as distinctive as the landscapes they come from. This month, we spotlight four regions where innovation meets tradition, and where every sip tells a story of place. Whether you’re drawn to high-altitude reds, crisp heritage whites, or tropical terroir, these vineyards reveal a side of Asia most travellers never expect.
Koshu in Yamanashi, Japan
At the foot of Mount Fuji, the Koshu grape has been cultivated for over a thousand years, making it one of Asia’s oldest wine traditions. This pale, delicate varietal produces crisp, citrus-forward wines with a faint blush of pink — elegant companions to sushi, sashimi, and tempura.
Visiting Yamanashi isn’t just about tasting; it’s about experiencing Japanese hospitality through vineyards that combine ancient cultivation with cutting-edge techniques. Many wineries are small, family-run, offering intimate cellar tours and food pairings that reflect the artistry of both cuisine and viticulture.
“The Koshu flavour is about harmony — gentle, balanced, and perfectly attuned to Japanese cuisine.”
— Rachel Lee, DTH Travel Japan General Manager
What’s Not to Be Missed: Pairing Koshu wines with tempura and sashimi under the gaze of Mount Fuji, plus guided vineyard walks in Katsunuma Valley
Perfect For: Culture seekers and food lovers eager to discover Japan beyond sake
Khao Yai & Hua Hin, Thailand
Tropical wine? Thailand makes it possible. In the cooler mountain air of Khao Yai, Shiraz and Chenin Blanc thrive, while seaside Hua Hin Hills produces Monsoon Valley wines crafted to complement spicy Thai flavours. Together, they form the heart of Asia’s bold “New Latitude Wines” movement.
The experience goes far beyond the bottle. In Hua Hin, explorers can cycle through vineyard trails, taste fresh grape juice alongside vintages, or dine among the vines at sunset with menus designed to amplify the contrast between heat and cool, spice and smoothness. It’s wine tourism with a distinctly playful, Thai twist.
“We’re not just making wine in Thailand; we’re redefining how food and wine belong together.”
— Stefan Bruns, DTH Travel Thailand General Manager
What’s Not to Be Missed: Sunset tastings overlooking Hua Hin’s vineyard hills, pairing Chenin Blanc with spicy seafood or Shiraz with Massaman curry
Perfect For: Adventurous travellers, foodies, and those who love their wine with a twist
Dalat, Central Highlands, Vietnam
Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Dalat surprises travellers with its vineyards, nurtured by cool highland breezes and fertile volcanic soil. French colonial settlers first introduced vines here, and today, local winemakers craft approachable blends that bridge European tradition with Vietnamese terroir.
What makes Dalat unique is how seamlessly its wines integrate into local food culture. A light red with fragrant lemongrass chicken, or a crisp white with fresh spring rolls — the pairings feel natural, unforced, and utterly Vietnamese. Wine tours here often include farm visits, flower gardens, and even tea plantations, making Dalat a sensory journey beyond the glass.
“Every bottle from Dalat tells a story — of misty highlands, fertile soil, and a country quietly finding its place on the global wine map.”
— Guilhem Cavaillé, DTH Travel Vietnam General Manager
What’s Not to Be Missed: Sampling Dalat reds at a garden restaurant with grilled meats, plus vineyard tours combined with visits to flower farms and coffee estates
Perfect For: Curious travellers who want to taste Vietnam in every sense
Ningxia & Yunnan, China
China is no longer an emerging wine story — it’s a contender. In Ningxia, desert vineyards along the Yellow River now rival Bordeaux, with Cabernet blends regularly winning global awards. Vineyards here face dramatic conditions — arid summers, icy winters — yet produce wines of elegance and depth.
Further south, in Yunnan, vines climb to 2,600m near Shangri-La, among the world’s highest-altitude vineyards. The result: bold, mineral-driven reds that reflect the drama of their Himalayan backdrop. Touring these regions offers more than tastings — it’s about encountering a wine culture that mirrors China’s ambition: grand, surprising, and increasingly world-class.
“Our wines prove that world-class vintages can thrive in unexpected places.”
— Fan Zhang, DTH Travel China Managing Director
What’s Not to Be Missed: Vineyard tours in Ningxia’s Helan Mountains, and tasting bold mountain reds in Shangri-La at one of the world’s highest wineries
Perfect For: Wine connoisseurs seeking discovery, and travellers chasing Asia’s next great vintage
Why Asia’s Vineyards Matter
Because wine isn’t just about tradition — it’s about transformation. Asia is rewriting the rules of the wine world. The joy lies not only in tasting, but in discovering places where culture, landscape, and innovation pour into the same glass.
For travellers seeking journeys that blend discovery with a taste of Asia’s evolving wine culture, DTH Travel is here to craft the perfect experience. Reach out to Mr. David Carlaw, Sales Director for the UK & Ireland, at david.carlaw@dth.travel. For more curated travel ideas, visit www.dth.travel.
