Gone are the days when wine tasting was only enjoyed by elite travelers. People now a day are following trends that were thought to be long gone. Wine tours in India are in the nascent phase but continue to attract wanderlust and wine lovers. From being an essential part of the parties to a romantic date, wine tours have turned the scenario of travelling. To embark upon a journey where you can taste some of the fine wines in the country, you need not be a wine connoisseur. The tradition of winemaking in India dates back to the Indus valley civilization, but this fine drink got the recognition it deserved only in the early 80’s and 90’s.
Wine tourism is a unique travelling idea that can turn a non-wine lover into a hardcore lover. The experience of stomping the grape field, learning the winemaking technique, tasting soul-satisfying wine cannot be described in words alone. We bring you the best vineyards in the country that are not only known for their classic red and white wines but also for their location and eye-soothing landscapes. These wine estates are based in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Nashik, Bangalore, Pune and Solapur. Here is the selection of India’s best vineyards and wineries for tour and tourism.
Sula Vineyards
Location: Nasik
Popular for: Zinfandel and Shiraz red wine, Satori Merlot, Chenin blanc and Riesling white wine, Brut wine, late harvest Chenin blanc dessert wine and Zinfandel rose wine.
About Sula Vineyards: Sula vineyards are the biggest and most popular vineyards in India that is sprawled over 3000 acres of land in the wine capital of India (Nasik). Nasik is also called Napa valley of India as it is home to some of the premier wineries and vineyards. Regular tours are organised for by different travel agencies where you can swirl, sniff and sip different wines, see the process of winemaking and challenge their taste buds with French cuisine with an Indian twist. Not only this, you can also indulge in therapeutic wine-based spa treatments to rejuvenate your tired soul.
‘Beyond’- a luxury resort adorning the vineyards comes with all the modern amenities like gym, spa, gaming room, infinity pool, and garden etc where you can spend memorable times. Gangapur lake, rolling hills are a sight to behold on touring this wine estate.
Sula Fest: Organised in February, Sula fest is unlike any wine festival you will ever attend. It is India’s biggest wine festival that is loaded with several fun activities and events. Sula fest gives an opportunity to everyone to taste different wines. To attend the festive environment with well-known DJs, rock bands and musicians is an experience worth taking.
Grover Vineyards
Location: Nandi hills, Bangalore
Popular for: Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, Chardonnay, and Shiraz.
About Grover Zampa Vineyards: Located in the foothills of Nandi hills, grover vineyards are one of the best grape producers that produce one of the finest wines in the country. Grovers are popular for their blended wine – red, white and rose. For an unusual romantic weekend, visiting this winery is a great idea to rekindle the spark in your relationship with your loved ones. The tasting room is the most exciting part of wine tour where you get to sip five or seven varieties of wine. Entry to the wine tour starts from 10:30 am onwards where visitors are given brief details of the winemaking process. After the photography session, wine stomping and witnessing the processing, visitors are taken to the tasting room where they are served varieties of wine. The picturesque view of Nandi hills, green slopes, and dense forest adds charm to this tour.
Vallee de Vin Vineyards
Location: Sanjegaon Nashik
Popular for: Zampa Soiree range of wines
Founded in 2006, vallee de vin vineyards are popular for a variety of Zampa still wines. The winery merged with grover vineyards and is now known as Grover Zampa. These 100 acres of vineyard offer wine tour to the tourists where they are briefed about winemaking process and other aspects of it. Wine lovers mustn’t miss the experiences Zampa wine offers. Even if you are not in love with wine, you can enjoy the jaw-dropping views of the valley.
Four Seasons Vineyards
Location: Baramati, Pune
Popular for: Zinzi, Rose wine, and White wine.
Located in the picturesque backdrop of Western Ghats, Four seasons vineyard is a place to enjoy a luxurious stay and revel in the fine-wine drinking experience. This palatial property is situated around 25 kilometres from the main city and includes 14 luxurious rooms with awe-inspiring views and modern amenities like a swimming pool, spa, party deck and a restaurant.
The stunning architecture with the great Gatsby theme and a wide array of lip-tantalizing wines made from flavourful grapes will make you thrive for more. There is a small reserve forest next to these vineyards where you can bask in bird watching and capture spot deer during a leisurely stroll. The rough terrain of this place will give you the feel of being in Mexico. If you wish to master the art of wine drinking, then this is the place to be. On the weekend, you might strike a conversation with the CEO Abhay Kewadkar who is often seen on weekends.
Chateau Indage Estate Vineyards
Location: Narayangaon, Maharasthra
Popular for: Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Malbec, Chantilly, Viognier, and Grenache
Chateau Indage estate vineyards is a heaven for wine lovers. A short tour of this vineyard will take you back in the romantic era of 70’s and 80’s of bollywood. Sipping signature chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon will not only make you tipsy but enjoy the unusual tour experience. The estate has a luxury guest house that offers drool-worthy food and wines (made from fresh grapes from the vineyard). Chateau Indage estate conducts a wine tour every weekend where you can know the process of winemaking from scratch and taste the best sparkling wines in the country.
The Estate is renowned for being the first vineyard in Asia that made wine and distributed it in bottles. You can buy wine from here at nominal rates. After the two-hour of wine tasting session, you can go for a stroll along the lush vegetation with sugarcane fields, sweetcorn fields, as well as vineyards. There are cottages on the property that presents the spectacular view of the wine trails.
Chateau d’Ori
Location: Dindori, MP
Popular for: Shiraz, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viva Rose.
This big dome-shaped winey is popular for producing quality wines catering to the needs of Indians. Surrounded by mesmerising artificial lake, greenery and Nheira-ori hills, this winery offers a variety of experimental blends to challenge your taste buds. It has the largest merlot plantation in the country. Regular wine tours are organised here for visitors so that they can know the production, distribution of wines and try out wines made from fresh grapes. The property has a farmhouse where you can stay and enjoy your one-of-a-kind vacation.
Vallonne Vineyards
Location: Baramati, Pune
Popular for: Chenin Blanc, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, and Vin De Passerillage.
Maharashtra is country’s hub of vineyards which offers some of the finest and tasty wines made from the fresh grapes. Vallonne vineyards are one of the best vineyards in the state that also produces premium French-style wines. If you wish to escape the hustle and bustle of cities, then a tour to Vallonne is not going to disappoint you. There are plenty of things you can do apart from tasting the wines-you can hit the cycle and explore the region or go on a trek or simply sit back and relax. Moreover, the lake-facing restaurant on the property provides a range of hot and fresh south-east Asian cuisines that is extremely satiating. Free the foodie in you and see the world from a different perspective. Vallonne vineyards will leave its footprint in your heart.
