Forget tropical beaches and exotic locations, take a trip to these scenic vineyards in India for your next vacation.
As wine becomes more popular in the country, more people have become interested in the culture of wine and want to experience and understand the ethos of winemaking in its most authentic form, boosting wine tourism in the country.
Nashik is well-known for being the wine capital of India, having the most number of vineyards and wineries in the region. With the growing popularity of wine tourism, wine makers have begun setting up their own estates with tasting rooms and tours for wine enthusiasts and beginners alike. Some of them also set up accommodations, either in or close to the estate. However, the state of Karnataka is not far off, with a few estates in the Nandi Hills region. Here are some of the most pristine locations where you can find gorgeous vineyards and wineries in India, a perfect travel destination for a romantic getaway.
Chandon India WineryÂ
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Chandon India Winery
Located about 45 minutes north of Nashik, Chandon India Winery is a sight for sore eyes. Nestled at the base of the lush green Nhera-Ori Hills, the winery is truly an escape from the city with nothing but clear blue skies and picturesque landscapes.
While Chandon does not have an in-house accommodation, wine tasting and tours of the winery are available from 11 am to 5 pm. Guests are greeted with a welcome drink post which they are taken through the wine estate and then to the tasting room. Here they receive an in-depth informative session by an expert from Moët Hennessy, ending the tour with a visit to the winery.
Set amidst sprawling 230 acres of land, Charosa Vineyards is located in the Dindori-Niphad-Satara area of Nashik and is a homegrown wine brand to be named after the village in which it is located.
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Charosa Wines
The process of making wine at Charosa is quite unique. They use open tank fermenters, a first for Indian winemaking. Other than that, they also use supreme quality equipment like the inert gas press, which ensures only the best quality grape juice is used in the winemaking process. Charosa is also the first brand to introduce Tempranillo, which is a Spanish origin grape in the Indian market.
Why VisitÂ
Although the journey to the vineyard is a little bumpy, guests are greeted with beautiful scenic views and luxurious interiors. Tuscan design fused with contemporary vernacular architecture gives the vineyard a very sophisticated look.
Must TryÂ
Charosa Reserve Tempranillo
Charosa produces three premium ranges including Reserve, Pleasures and Selection wines. Among these, the Reserve Tempranillo, Sauvignon Blanc, and Voignier are some of the much-appreciated selections.
Chateau d’OriÂ
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D’ori Winery
Located 22kms from Nashik on the Nashik-Dindori Road, Chateau d’Ori is one of the largest vineyards in Nashik, with a 400-acre estate surrounded by a beautiful panorama of three artificial lakes and the Nhera-Ori hills.
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Chateau d’Ori is only one of three wineries in the state with its own vineyard, as well as one that produces all of its wine from estate-grown grapes. The vines here are planted using the single cordon method which accommodates about 2500 vines per acre as compared to the pergola method which accommodates only 1000 vines per acre.
Chateau d’Ori Merlot
Why VisitÂ
Along with tours of the vineyard, guests can partake in delicious wine tasting sessions in the tasting lounge of the dome-shaped winery. The estate also provides accommodation on the property offering a luxurious 4-bedroom farmhouse that overlooks artificial lakes.
Must TryÂ
Chateau d’Ori Sauvignon Blanc
The winery at Chateau d’Ori produces some top quality red wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Four Seasons VineyardsÂ
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Four Seasons Winery
Nestled in the outskirts of Pune near Baramati, Four Seasons Winery is a sophisticated French château that is surrounded by vineyards sprawling over 50-acres of land, overlooking the majestic Sahyadri Valley.
The winery offers wine tours from Monday through Saturday. The estate also lets out 14 rooms on rent, along with amenities like a swimming pool, spa, party deck and terrace. They also have a restaurant offering unique wine and food pairings, a wine merchandise store, a wine boutique, tasting rooms and of course vineyard trails for the wine enthusiasts.
Launched in 2007, Fratelli Wines’ vineyards has three different locations spread over India —Garwar, Motewadi and Solapur which is Fratelli’s main operating vineyard. The most popular site for tourism however is the one at Motewadi which is spread over 230-acres of tranquil landscapes.
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Fratelli Vineyards
The winery at Fratelli focuses on using superior quality tools and implements that ensures the best quality wine. One of their top priorities is using premium quality wooden barrels for the ageing process, like the French Oak barrels, purchased exclusively from Coopers, Demptos and Saury. Another important factor is focusing on using the right capacity containers as it creates balance and elegance in the wines. This is why barrels of varying capacities are used depending on specific requirements for each wine component.
Why VisitÂ
The vineyard has a selection of packages for single and stayover trips with comfortable modern accommodations at varying prices. These are inclusive of meals that include delicious authentic Maharashtrian cuisine served in a machan. Along with tours of the estate, guests also get to experience an exclusive tour of Fratelli’s state-of-the-art cellar which houses some unique vintage blends.
Must TryÂ
Fratelli Sette Reserve Red
Fratelli makes some of the best red wines in the country. Their Sette Reserve Red is the popular choice and has been rated among the best red wines in India.
Grover ZampaÂ
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Grover Zampa Vineyards
Established by the oldest viticulturists in India, Mr Kanwal Grover and Mr Georges Vesselle, Grover Zampa Vineyards is a 400-acre estate in Nandi Hills, a picturesque region dotted with sloping green hillsides and forestland. Other than Nandi Hills, Grover Zampa also has an outlet in Nashik.
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Grover Zampa Vineyards
Grover Zampa is said to be the first to grow French grape varieties in India. Using equipment exported exclusively from Italy, their entire wine-making process is finely staged and monitored by celebrated wine consultant Michel Rolland, who adds his personal zeal, creating unique flavour and balance to the wines.
Why VisitÂ
The region offers tranquil surroundings and a rich history for travellers looking to learn more about wine, with wine tastings and guided tours at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Grover Zampa focuses on producing premium wines, with the standout being its award-winning La Reserve brand of oak matured Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz reds.
Sula VineyardsÂ
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Sula Vineyards
Set on the outskirts of Nashik, Sula is one of the most popular vineyards in India. It is also the largest in India, sprawling over 3000 acres surrounded by the Sahyadri hills, overlooking the Gangapur Dam area.
Visitors can take a tour of the vineyard between 11.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. daily, and sample its wide selection of wines. The vineyard also has a luxury resort named Beyond, complete with beautifully appointed rooms, a gym, spa, restaurant, games room, and an infinity pool. Outside the resort, visitors can take a stroll or bicycle along the winding paths and bask in the nature all around.
Must TryÂ
Sula Zindafel Rose
Some of Sula’s popular wines include Dindori Reserve Shiraz, Sula Sauvignon Blanc, Sula Blush Zinfandel, Sula Brut and the Late Harvest Chenin Blanc.
York WineryÂ
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York Winery
Located just a few hours from the Sula vineyards, York Winery is a scenic 9 acre-expanse located twenty minutes from the heart of Nashik city. The surrounding area is a beautiful amalgamation of hills and the pristine Gangapur dam backwaters.
SpecialityÂ
The winery itself is designed in a very special way. It is built on multiple levels where the various production areas of grape receival, crushing, red winemaking, white winemaking, barrel cellar, bottling, and storage are all separately located in a streamlined fashion. This in turn allows a transfer of wine using gravity rather than pumps which tend to affect the quality of the wine.
Why VisitÂ
York Winery
York Winery is best known for its wine tasting sessions. Open from noon to 10 p.m. every day, guests are taken behind the scenes to learn about everything right from the process of production to tasting the wine. The session also includes tips from experts on how to drink wine the right way along with advice on how to pair different wines with specific foods.
Must TryÂ
York’s Arros Reserve Blend of Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon
While York Winery has won several awards for their different wines, their most impressive collection is the Arros reserve blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as their York Sparkling Brut which is made from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes.
