Sisters Mimi and Nikki have battled Thailand's tropical climate, chased off elephants from their vineyards, and won over a skeptical public to their award-winning wine. Now they're taking on the"unfair" booze laws critics say benefit the kingdom's billionaire booze monopolies.
She painstakingly experiments with grape varieties to see how they respond to the climate – it takes at least 6 years to see if a decent wine will emerge from the ground. But after more than two decades in business, GranMonte is gaining recognition especially for its progress in tropical viticulture. A web of rules, including high import taxes on alcohol, hefty fines for breaches, and a licensing culture where bars require friends at local police stations, can make drinking a complicated business.
Critics say it has always been unevenly enforced, allowing booze giants to cement their brand recognition, spraying their logos via non-alcoholic drinks like soda water on giant billboards and public transport.