Bhutanese vintage wine will be put to the test on the international scene for the first time, which will be a landmark event for the fledgling wine industry in the nation. From April 3 to 24, Bonhams will hold an online auction with about 40 bottles of Bhutan’s first vintage wine. The estimated bids, which vary from USD 4,000 to USD 80,000, highlight the increasing interest in Bhutanese viticulture on a global scale. This milestone was led by BWPL, a joint venture between Bhutanese and US partners that was established in 2018. Although Bhutan has a long history of subsistence farming, until recently, its wine producing potential was mainly unrealized. A unique blend of all grape kinds and vineyards from the 2023 harvest, the wine is called Ser Kem.
BWPL has been turning bare ground into vineyards with government assistance, growing 18 distinct grape varietals at elevations ranging from 2,800 meters in Hongtsho to Gelephu. Small test vineyards are also kept up by the corporation in Paro, Bajo, Yusipang, Lingmithang, and Gelephu. The forthcoming auction, according to BWPL’s CEO and co-founder, will be a turning point. The business intends to start offering wine tastings and vineyard tours by this summer, serving both residents and visitors. BWPL plans to expand at Gelephu Mindfulness City as part of its future growth plans. Bonhams auction is expected to attract wine enthusiasts and collectors to taste Bhutan’s first excellent wine, Ser Kem, which is expected to become a highly sought-after addition to global wine collections.
