Here's your guide to wine tours in India

There are few who do not like a glass or two of wine. Wine, which often forms part of celebrations, with its mildly intoxicating qualities, has many admirers. There are many vineyards in India producing wine of excellent taste and quality. It will be quite useful to know more about these wineries and their specialties.

Sula Vineyard, Nashik, Maharashtra

Nashik is a major centre for grapevine plantations. The grapes and the extracts from Sula are a cut above the rest from the region. Wine production started in Sula in 1997. Since then Sula wine has had a dedicated following. Sula wine has a lot of takers in India and abroad.

Every year, Sula conducts a 'Wine Fest.' It is a tour that gives opportunity to everyone to taste their wine. Since a considerable number of people gather for this fest, Sula is often called the Mecca of Indian wines.

Tens of thousands of people visit Sula during the 'Wine Fest.' Facilities at the vineyard here include fully appointed, luxurious bungalows and an Italian restaurant. Sula is a good choice for wine tours.

The Wine Fest is conducted around the first week of February. It is a festive atmosphere there with DJs, well-known rock bands and musicians. The service of guides can be availed to make a detailed tour of the winemaking process. The harvest and the winemaking take place from January to March.

Chateau Indage Estate, Narayangaon, Maharashtra

Another good location in Maharashtra for taking wine tours is the Chateau Indage Estate. Chateau Indage Estate, too, has a rich legacy among the Indian vineyards. It is located about 85 km from Pune. red, white, and sparkling are the three varieties of wines available here. It is also a place which makes one of the finest Chantilly wines in the world. This vineyard is also noted for making 32 varieties of wines of different tastes.

Chateau Indage Estate conducts a wine tour every weekend. The visitors can taste wines during these tours. Chateau Indage Estate is renowned for being the first vineyard in Asia which made wine and distributed it in bottles. Internationally, this vineyard has the 9th position.

They have their own wine shop. The visitors can buy wine from here at nominal rates. Luxurious accommodation and eateries are available in the vineyard for visiting wine-tasters.

Grover Vineyards, Nandi Hills, Karnataka

The Grover Vineyards produce the best variety of grapes and wines currently available in the market. This vineyard is located at the foot of the Nandi Hills. It is just 40 km away from the IT hub of Bangalore. red, white, and rose are the types of wines made here.

The Nandi Hills is a popular vacation tourism spot in Karnataka visited by a large number of people. The natural beauty of the surroundings add to the charm of tasting some excellent quality wine.

During the Wine Tour, entry is allowed from 10:30 am. The visitors are given brief details of the winemaking process by the employees. The visitors are allowed to spend time in the vineyards and to take photographs.

Zampa Wine, Nashik, Maharashtra

For any wine lover touring Nashik – the wine capital of India – it will be insulting to miss out on the Zampa Wine. Vale d'Vine, the latest sensation in the world of wines, is made in this winery which is located by the Mumbai-Nashik National Highway.

The wine production started here in 2006. Zampa is the most popular wine made here. Besides Zampa, many other varieties of wines are made in this winery. Visitors are allowed entry for wine tasting every day. This will be a brief tour of 40 to 50 minutes. Even those visitors who are not keen on tasting wine can go around and enjoy the scenery. They do not have to pay any visiting fee.