Even though India’s affair with wine production goes back to the days of Indus Valley civilization, it is in recent times that both consumption and production of wines in the country are experiencing an all-time high (no pun intended). As more takers are developing a taste for these diverse wines, more makers are setting up their wine estates.
Most of the wineries have also encouraged wine tourism in India and beyond by setting up modern, aesthetic wine tasting tours complemented with fun activities ensuring guests have a good time. Lets see some of the few best wineries in India and how u can spend an entire day here:
Fratelli sette, Solapur.
It is known for producing some excellent reserve labels from its 240 acre estate also for making the best red wine in the country—the Fratelli Sette Reserve Red. It offers guided wine tours and tasting of a variety of red, white, and sparkling wines, including late-harvest dessert wine, dry Chenin Blanc, Sette, Chardonnay and Sangiovese Bianco
Activities : The vineyard has provisions for exclusive and interactive tours and tastings- along with a choice to stay at the luxurious resort nearby- which goes a long way in complementing the fabulous collection of white and red wines in the Fratelli collection. They have a whole winery activities tailored to make your stay amazing.
You can have lunch at the Machan, they provide authentic maharashtrian food. They also host barbeques in the open sky at night along with wine to make your moments magical. You can take a jeep ride through the vineyards or the neighbouring villages. If you are curious about the wine making process, they let you through the entire process of a jaunt in the cellar and winery. You can rent bicycles and pack bottles and just sit in the open garden and have a little picnic of your own.
Timings : 10 am - 6pm.
How to reach : Akluj, in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. It's approximately six hours from Mumbai.
2) Soma Vine Village, Nashik.
Feasting eyes on the sprawling views of the vineyards, picturesque sunset, a dreamy vacation to an exotic winery , it is the place for your lavish retreats. They offer quite a range of wines from reserve wines, to white wines, rose wines, sparkling wines and honey wines.
Activities : At soma they teach you wine making and take you through the processes of making Whites, Reds, Rose as well as sparkling wines (methode champenoise), followed by wine testing sessions wherein they provide you with expert training upon techniques of tasting a wine.
For the adrenaline rush they provide different activities such as rock climbing, go-karting, zip line, high rope and low rope activities, and much more fun packed. They also provide Wine Spa, the massage with the grape oil and too many procedures shall take you to another world . You can swim in the infinity pool to relax and can sit and chit chat amphitheater with your friends. They also provide grape stomping activity in the oak barrel to experience the age-old tradition of pressing by foot!
It is open all day long and prior bookings are required.
Timing : open 24 hours. The tour starts at 10 in the morning.
Location : Situated near a reservoir on the Godavari River is 10 km from the NH848 on angapur-Ganghavare Road, Maharashtra.
3) Chateau d’Ori, Nashik
Located at the foot of Nhera-Ori hills, Dindori, the distance of about 22 km from Nasik, has the largest Merlot plantation in India. The ambience of wine touring in the vineyards of Chateau d’Ori is an experience of a lifetime. The environment inside the vineyard has been developed in an eco-friendly way. Windmills, generating power from the natural wind, cleanliness, and the picturesque beauty of the vineyards make them an ideal destination for wine tourism in India.
Activities: You can also delight your wine tasting experience from the vineyard’s excellent wine tasting lounges.
Take a walk around the lush vineyard and see open sky and mountains filled with windmills. This vineyard has three artificial lakes for boating and water sports.
The presence of luxury farmhouses with Jacuzzi and swimming pools in the vineyard makes your stay worthwhile.
Timings : 9 am - 6pm.
Location : is situated about 22 km from Nashik on the Nashik-Dindori Road. 4 hour drive from Mumbai.
4) Grover Zampa Vineyard, Karnataka.
The reason for visiting one of the oldest winemakers in the country is two-fold; Grover Vineyards is known for producing some of the best oak-matured Shiraz reds and Cabernet Sauvignons in the country. Plus, the location for the award-winning winery is amidst the leafy landscapes of Nandi Hills, a popular weekend getaway for Bengaluru residents. Several wine trails await you across the 410-acre property, and you can even have a sneak peek of the extensive barrel room. Try the Brut, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blancs samples here – you won’t be disappointed.
Activities: The vineyard tour happens three times a day. It is a glorious spot to visit any time of the year, with a wealth of natural beauty rich with miles of forests, sloping green hills, and trekking trails. The tour includes wine tasting which includes a walk tour down the entire vineyards along with grape stomping.
Timings: 10:30 am - 6:00 pm.
Location: Devanahalli Road, Doddaballapura, in the Nandi Hills north of Bangalore in Karnataka. Sanjegaon, about halfway between Igatpuri and Nashik, just off the Mumbai-Nashik Highway in Maharashtra.
5) Heritage Grape Winery, Ramanagar
If you are on a budget but still on the lookout for some heady fun, then, drive down to Heritage Winery at just Rs 150/person for an hour. Located amidst rolling hills and lush greenery. Heritage Winery upholds the ‘tradition and legacy’ of producing the finest wines in India. They had started an initiative (i.e. The Heritage Wine education Tour) to educate people on the intricacies of making a fine wine. This tour will teach you all the aspects of wine making and wine tasting, and answer all your queries about wines.
Here you can opt for 3 kinds of experiences- Wine Tour, where practically every aspect of wine-making is discussed right from fermentation to bottling and final labeling; Wine tour and enjoy some finger licking food dished out by the experienced chefs; and Wine Tour and Grape Stomping where you can enjoy the grape stomping experience synchronized with the rhythm of music.
Timing : 10 am - 6 pm. The tour starts at 10:30am and ends at 4.
Location : Gangedoddi Village, Chekkere Post, Bangalore - Malur Road. Situated in Ramanagara District 70kms from Bangalore.
The next time you want to spend a day or two in leisure and wine, pick one of these places.