The wine industry said I’m crazy: US pioneer to create ‘next Napa Valley’ in Himalayan hills of Bhutan
Wine-lover Michael Juergens plants vineyards on Southern Asian nation’s terraced slopes as he sees huge potential for growing grapes – with first harvest due in 2020
When American Michael Juergens was running downhill on a packed dirt road in February 2016 during the first international marathon in the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan, he passed steep, terraced hillsides and fields that he thought looked ideal for growing grape vines.
The 49-year-old bearded, tattooed wine lover, a partner in a global consulting firm, thought to himself: “Where are all the country’s vineyards?”
There are microclimates tucked away in the Kingdom [of Bhutan] that may be on par with the climates of other world-class wine regions
When he put the question to a couple of senior government officials from the landlocked southern Asian country covering 14,824 square miles (38,395 square km) on the eastern edge of the Himalayas during a celebratory dinner for the top runners they said there was none.
Unlikely wine adventure
He says that was the beginning of his unlikely wine adventure, in which he ended up inventing an industry from scratch in the remote nation of only 741,700 people, which is known for its stunning pristine landscape and ideal level of “gross national happiness”.
“As I look back,” he laughs, “I’m astounded we could pull off what we’ve done in such a short time.”
In April, he and a team of workers started to plant several vineyards in the country on a total of six acres (2.4 hectares). One of them, Yusipang, is at an elevation of 8,900 feet (2,712 metres) above sea level, with views of brooding forests and Himalayan peaks.
Eventually, these grapes will go into wines under the Thunder Dragon label – or so Juergens hopes.
Next spring, travellers can help plant Bhutan Wine Company’s next vineyards on its first luxury trip organised for wine lovers. The itinerary includes a climb to the famous, much-photographed Tiger’s Nest monastery and the chance to be part of one of the newest regional wine projects in the world.