When someone mentions Indian vineyards, most of us recall Sula. Many of the wine enthusiasts have visited the vineyards to experience the winery in all its glory. Even though it is popular and rightly so, the country is home to some other great vineyards you can visit the coming year. Mentioned below are 5 exceptional vineyards that would make for a great vacation.
1. Chateau d’Ori Vineyards
Chateau d’Ori Vineyards are a Bordeaux-inspired 400 acre land at the base of the twin hills of Nhera-Ori in Nashik. The grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay are planted here. Today, the vineyard boasts of being the largest plantation ground of Merlot grapes in India, and is the only winery to produce wines from estate-grown grapes. The vineyards are surrounded by three artificial lakes that collect rainwater to increase the water table under the property land, a luxurious four-bedroom farmhouse and a dome-shaped ultra-modern winery.
2. Grover Zampa Vineyards
There are two locations of Grover Zampa Vineyards – Nandi Hills in Karnataka and Nashik Valley in Maharashtra. Both the vineyards are huge with the one in Karnataka spreading over 400 acres. To make sure the grapes are of the best quality, the winemakers practice limited yielding, and hand-harvest and table-sort the grapes.
Before you book your tour, do keep in mind that the vineyards do not provide accommodation and require you to inform them about lunch requirements when making reservations.
3. Vallonné Vineyards
Vallonné Vineyards are located in Igatpuri in Maharashtra. It is India’s first boutique winery, and has won accolades in the Indian as well as international media for the quality of its grape yields and wines, and the innovative approach taken towards the winemaking process. The land holds a boutique hotel with vintage furniture and a lake-facing restaurant with South-East Asian cuisine on its menu.
4. Fratelli Vineyards
India’s largest privately-owned wine estate, Fratelli Vineyards is spread over 240 acres of land in Sholapur in Maharashtra. The vineyards are home to some of the best grape varieties and employ over 500 people to uphold its excellent wine quality by all-time attention to the pruning process and vineyard management. The property houses a modern four-bedroom guest house overlooking the vineyards.
5. York Vineyards
York Vineyards are spread over 9 acres in Nashik, Maharashtra. The winemakers practice modern viticulture practices to ensure quality grape yields. Though the winery does not provide accommodation, it has provisions to offer lunch to its guests. The food menu has been specially curated to pair North Indian and Maharashtrian cuisine with York wines that are available for tasting.
All of these seem like a great weekend getaway offering an excellent selection of wines to boot. Packing my bags for a short trip to Valloné soon, what about you?
