Sula Vineyards Nashik has become quite a popular destination, especially among wine lovers. Its proximity to Mumbai and Pune makes it an ideal weekend getaway to escape city life. Yours truly explored the famed destination and here’s an unbiased review.
The roads from Mumbai to Sula Vineyards Nashik are well-maintained, and the distance can be comfortably covered in 3 to 4 hours. I visited during the monsoon season, and the weather was pleasantly cool. The best time to visit Sula Vineyards is between January and March, during grape season, when you can enjoy the vineyard in full bloom.
Sula Vineyards Nashik Tour – All you need to know
Before starting the Sula Vineyard tour, you’ll need to purchase an entry ticket. The entry fee is Rs.600 on weekdays and Rs.1,000 per person on weekends or festive days. The good news is that you can redeem this amount when buying wines or dining at their outlets inside. And yes, kids are welcome to join the tour.
The tour begins with a guide providing a brief introduction to Sula’s history, followed by a short video that highlights its humble beginnings and evolution to the present day. After the video, the tour guide leads visitors to the factory, where large machinery is on display, showcasing how wines are produced from grapes using advanced technology. Each process is highly automated, ensuring that the grapes remain untouched, which allows Sula to proudly guarantee the quality, taste, and authenticity of its wines.
From there, the guide takes you through various rooms filled with wine barrels and large tanks. These rooms are kept at a cool temperature, so children should wear jackets inside. After the approximately 30-minute tour, the guide invites guests into the wine-tasting room.
Note that kids are not allowed beyond this point, so if you’re visiting with children, you may need to take turns entering the tasting room. The entire tour is well-organized and professionally presented. I learned a lot about various grape types, the differences between red and white wine production, and the wine aging process. The Wine tasting experience of Sula Vineyards was the highlight of the tour.
Sula wine-tasting experience review
The most anticipated part of the vineyard tour is, of course, the wine-tasting experience. The guide began by introducing us to the three S’s of wine tasting: swirling, sniffing, and sipping. Following this process enhances the flavors and aromas of the wine, allowing us to appreciate each note more fully.
- Swirl – This step should be skipped for sparkling wines, as they contain fizz, and swirling may flatten their taste.
- Smell – After swirling (for still wines), take a sniff to appreciate the wine’s aroma.
- Sip – When sipping, go slowly. Let the wine sit on your palate for a few seconds before swallowing it to savor its full flavor.
Two additional S’s were introduced:
- Seeing – Before tasting, take a moment to observe the wine’s color and clarity, which can provide insights into its quality and characteristics.
- Spitting – If you don’t like the flavor or if it’s too pungent, it’s perfectly acceptable to spit it out. This allows you to taste more wines without overwhelming your palate.
We tasted four to five wines and were impressed by the quality, packaging, and presentation.
The first wine we tried was Sula Tropicale Rosé. This pink-hued wine comes in a vibrant bottle, celebrating Sula’s 15th anniversary. It is Sula’s most award-winning wine, having won a gold medal. This wine is an excellent option to consider when redeeming your entry coupons.
Next, we tasted the Dindori Reserve Chardonnay. This white wine has a light aroma that becomes more pronounced after swirling for a few seconds. It features a smooth and creamy texture, with delightful notes of fruit and vanilla. The Chardonnay is aged for six months before packaging, with a process that includes partial barrel fermentation and partial aging in French oak.
Next, we tasted the Rasa Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by the Source Moscato, a sweet and sparkling limited-edition wine from Sula that is exclusively sold at the vineyard.
With the tasting session coming to an end, our wine-buying spree began! We purchased a few bottles for family and friends, including the Dindori and Rosé wines. Notably, the more you spend, the higher the discount you receive. Therefore, it’s a great idea to team up with other members of your tour group to maximize your savings.
Note, that Sula wine-tasting prices are included in the entry ticket, and you don’t need to pay anything additional. Also, stay hydrated; tasting so many wines can lead to a dizzy feeling—a happy high, indeed! Keep track of your consumption and be mindful not to go overboard with the tasting.
Sula Vineyards Nashik – Overall experience
Sula Vineyards Nashik is a picturesque location with several attractions. Take a stroll around the premises, as it offers plenty of photo opportunities. A day trip to Sula Vineyards from Mumbai feels like a mini getaway that is both rejuvenating and wholesome.
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply looking to enjoy a peaceful day in nature, Sula is one of the best wineries near Mumbai. My daughter had a fantastic time running around and soaking in the captivating experience, especially while enjoying a meal at ‘Little Italy.’
We adults opted to have a meal at Peruchi Wadi, which we visited after exploring Sula Vineyards. They serve the best Chulivarchi Misal, and if you’re in Nashik, I highly recommend checking out this place. In a day, you can comfortably explore both Sula Vineyards and Peruchi Wadi, which also features a Bird Park. Get all the deets in the blog here.
Until next time, keep exploring!
