Village Farm and Winery

The Simple Charms of the Country

by Hannah Carrodus

For people who want a swish hotel amongst the hustle and bustle of the city, the Village Farm and Winery is not for you. Indeed, if you shiver at the thought of being cut off from the internet, bracing morning fog and finding yourself surrounded by unfamiliar plant life, then you also may want to give the Village Farm and Winery miss. But for those who can do away with their modern gizmos for a few days, you will find the Village Farm and Winery an immensely fulfilling experience. The Village Farm and Winery A demands that guests abandon themselves to nature, yet it rewards their efforts by helping them rediscover a joy for life's simpler pleasures. I discovered these pleasures myself, as a couple of weeks ago my boyfriend and I were lucky enough to stay at this lovely getaway.

After hauling our little car up the long and winding mountains that make up Highway 304, we finally arrived at the Village Farm and Winery. The property is located in the beautiful Baan Pai Ngam Village in the Wang Nam Keow district–an area known for its breathtaking views and fresh climate. The farm itself is tucked between the Tublan and Khao Yai national parks.

The first thing we noticed as we stepped out of the car was the chill in the air; being 500 metres above sea level certainly had an impact. Yet while it did take us a minute to adjust to the crisp atmosphere, the rolling green hills, which were lined with endless grapevines, soon won us over. Rustic wine barrels were scattered along a traditional cobblestone path, which led to a charming wooden barn that had a thatched-straw roof. This delightful set-up was a lovely surprise, and we felt as though we were in Europe, rather than Thailand.

Shortly after arriving we were greeted by a friendly staff member, who told us a little about the history of the property. We learned that the owners started producing wine in 1997, after a group of French guests said they were certain the beautiful slopes of what was then the Village Farm would be perfect for grape growing. Sure enough, the Frenchmen were proved right: one year later the grapes of the Chateau des Brumes–the chosen name of the new winery–had ripened.

These days the Chateau des Brumes is one of Thailand's finest wineries, producing several excellent drops. Thankfully, all guests are able to sample some of this delicious produce, as two complementary meals–including wine with dinner–are included in the price of all accommodation. Though varying in sizes and set ups, each type of accommodation shares the same concept of country living with style and comfort. All rooms and buildings are designed to fit into the farm environment and strike a balance with nature.

We stayed in the Village Home, which consisted of an earthy wooden house that had a large comfortable bed in the middle and was draped with lovely white curtains.

Once we'd settled in it was time for a hearty dinner and we made our way to the Village Barn to satisfy our appetites. The Village Barn–a production mill turned restaurant–was exactly the type of establishment one would expect to find at a country estate. The dark wooden interiors were charmingly illuminated by soft, overhead lights and on the tables were red and white checked tablecloths. We opted for a traditional European roast, which included tender beef soaked in thick gravy, crunchy roast potatoes, cauliflower topped with a cheesy sauce and several fresh vegetables. This tasty meal was washed down with a heavy 2003 Chateau des Brumes red (85 percent Shiraz, 15 percent Cabernet Sauvignon). Delicious. Keeping with the country spirit we decided to retire early to bed and despite the patter of the rain I had the best sleep I'd had in weeks.

The next morning we rose early and had a walk around the area. A couple of the staff members had suggested we explore the walking paths that adjoined a nearby forest, so we took their advice. Mist snaked between the dark trees, but we could glimpse the morning sunlight peeping through. Our voices echoed as we chatted. We saw lychees and longans growing in the wild and spotted little birds perched in their nests. It was a beautiful picture.

We then decided to reward ourselves for our early exertions by rejuvenating at the Cliff Cottage Country Spa. Built of natural timbers and set atop a high ridge-face amidst the fresh, clean air of the Wang Nam Keow highlands, the Cliff Cottage Country Spa was the ideal place to relax. I opted for a red wine hydrotherapy session and a red wine body scrub. I'd been to spas before but had never experienced anything like this! I discovered that grapes are excellent exfoliates and that red wine is lovely to soak in. Some may find inhaling grapy aromas for 80 minutes (the soak lasted 20 minutes and the scrub went for 60 minutes) a little intoxicating, but I loved it.

In the afternoon we explored the Wang Nam Keow region, visiting the Chinese Shiitake Mushroom Farm and Thai Samakkee's Chrysanthemum community, admiring the dazzling bright flowers. Members of the community generously showed us around, sharing their knowledge about the local area. Upon our return we sampled several glasses of wine as the sun was setting then it was back to The Village Barn for a final meal. This was a weekend to remember. Unfortunately we only had a couple of nights at our disposal, but for people wishing to have a longer holiday there's plenty to do in the Wang Nam Keow area, such as visiting the majestic national parks.

Our stay at the Village Farm and Winery was lovely and I suggest you experience it for yourself. For your next long weekend, escape Bangkok's heat and take the 2.5-hour drive up to this scenic area. You're sure to feel refreshed.