Cultivating Bonds Through Grapes: Savoring Issara's Family Legacy in Every Bottle

There's a magical quality to wine that transcends the mere clinking of glasses and the swirl of ruby or golden liquid within. It's a medium that weaves people together, forming connections that often transcend generations and barriers. For Khunpol Issara, the Managing Director of Issara Estates, wine isn't just a beverage; it's a binding force that has woven his family into a beautiful tapestry of shared moments, cherished experiences, and a thriving business venture.

Khunpol Issara

Managing director of Issara Estates.

In the heart of Khao Yai, a place known for its scenic beauty and serene ambiance, lies Issara Estates, a family-owned vineyard that has become much more than a winery. It's a sanctuary of togetherness, where every step of the wine-making journey is embraced by the hands and hearts of Khunpol's family members. As he eloquently puts it, "Wine is something that always brings us together to drink and eat together, and now we make wine together, which gives me more time with my father, with my parents, and sister.

Everyone is in the wine business." The family's involvement isn't just a passive one; it's a commitment to their craft that extends from the sprawling vineyards to the bottle's cork. "Family vineyard means we manage everything by ourselves, from growing grapes to wine production," Khunpol shares. This hands-on approach resonates deeply in every sip of their wines, as every bottle holds the essence of their dedication and unity.

Wandering through the vineyard, it's clear that this is a place where nature's gifts are treated with respect and understanding. "Our vineyard is about three hundred and fifty meters above sea level. The weather is cooler and somewhat drier than other places in Khao Yai," Khunpol explains. This unique climate, coupled with their gravelly clay soil, has proven to be a perfect match for grape cultivation. The soil's excellent drainage ensures the vines receive just the right amount of water, avoiding the excess humidity that grapes dislike. The winemaking process at Issara Estates is a harmonious dance between tradition and adaptation. "Every work is done in the vineyard," Khunpol emphasizes. Their keen understanding of the dynamic relationship between weather patterns and grape behavior guides their every move. "We need to shift how we treat grapes. We need to change yearly because it’s different every year," he adds. This flexibility is the key to crafting wines that reflect the unique character of each harvest.

The grape harvest in March marks a pivotal moment in their winemaking calendar. The grapes are delicately separated from their stems and pressed to release their precious juices. Fermentation, that magical process of turning sugar into alcohol, takes center stage next, unfolding over the course of ten to fourteen days. After this, the wine is carefully aged, patiently maturing into its full potential. One of the most intriguing aspects of Issara Estates is its size – deliberately small, allowing the family to focus on quality over quantity. "We can only produce twelve thousand bottles a year," Khunpol states. This deliberate limitation grants them the freedom to nurture each vine, to craft wines that resonate with their hearts rather than cater to market trends. "We do what we like, and what we think is most appropriate with the weather that we got that year," Khunpol remarks.     

Stepping into the world of Issara Estates is stepping into a world of balance – a balance between generations, between traditional wisdom and modern knowledge, and between the earth's offerings and human hands. It's a testament to the power of shared passion and the profound impact of working hand in hand with nature. As Khunpol beautifully encapsulates, "I try to use knowledge from old gen and new gen winemakers, merge together, and make something to express our terroir. Making wine together, spending time together – I think it’s very beautiful."

So the next time you uncork a bottle of Issara Estates wine, remember that within that glass lies more than just fermented grapes. It holds the essence of family bonds, a terroir nurtured with care, and the harmonious symphony of tradition and innovation. Cheers to togetherness, to shared moments, and to the artistry that transforms grapes into liquid poetry.