If you think Nasik is all about temples, pilgrimages and Kumbh Mela, then you will be amazed to know that the city is India’s wine capital! The city of Nasik is home to various vineyards, and the most famous of them is the Sula Vineyards. So, for a unique experience of visiting a vineyard, wine tasting and taking a stroll in the fields full of grapes, this post has got everything you need to know before planning a trip to Sula Vineyards.
Spread over an area of 3000 acres, the Sula Vineyards is the brainchild of Rajeev Samant, who, having returned from California, could not source good quality and affordable wine in India. Fortunate enough to own a land in Nashik, he decided to set up the Sula Winery, where the first bottles were produced in 1999.
At present, the brand offers a wide range of wines, including red, white, rosé and fizz. That’s not just it, the Sula Vineyards also accompanies a resort and a restaurant where you can enjoy your staycation or daycation. The staff arranges various activities for the visitors, including wine tasting and vineyard tours.
Things To Do at Sula Vineyards
The Sula Vineyards offers a wholesome experience for the visitors. Once you enter the gates, you are welcomed by the Sula’s life-size wine bottles cleverly positioned across the farms, a perfect spot for clicking pictures. Here are some of the major activities you cannot skip on your visit to the Sula Vineyards:
1. Enjoy a scrumptious meal at Rāsā
Once you soak in the beauty of the entrance, you can head towards beautifully decorated Rasa, Sula’s in-house restaurant, serving a variety of Italian and local delicacies with fine wines.
2. Take a Stroll in the Grape Fields
Once you are well-fed, you can begin your journey towards the winery and witness some of the breathtaking views of the grape field en route. The vast vineyards are also decorated with life-size wine bottles, adding more to the beauty of the fields. If you plan your trip during January and March, you can witness the fields filled with grapes and colourful flowers on the periphery.
3. Winery Tour
The Sula Vineyard organises group tours of their winery. So, once you reach the winery, the first thing you will see is the introductory film on how the founder, Mr Rajeev Samant, started the venture, followed by the story of Sula and its milestones over the period of time.
Afterwards, the tour guide will explain the entire wine-making process in detail, from grape to glass and their sustainable practices at Sula. And then comes the most awaited part, an air-conditioned room filled with rows of oak barrels filled with wine.
4. Grape Stomping
If your bucket list has grape stomping in it, why wait for international travel when you can experience it in Sula Vineyards? To do so, make sure you plan your trip during the harvest season, which is from January to March and enjoy a unique therapeutic experience.
5. Wine Tasting
Once you register for wine tasting, you will be escorted into a room overlooking the vineyards for the tasting session. Here, you will be taught every minute detail, including how to hold a wine glass, to swirl the beverage and correct food to pair with it.
During the session, you will get different samples of wines with salty biscuits as palate cleansers. The testing session will help you to purchase the right bottle for you.
6. Don’t Forget to Explore the Souvenirs Shop
Take memories home in the form of unique miniatures, gifts, chocolates and decorative bottle openers from the souvenir shop in the Sula Vineyards.
How To Reach Sula Vineyards
Sula Vineyard is located around 12 km from the city centre in Nashik and is easily reachable through air, rail and road. The nearest major cities to Nashik are Mumbai at 180 km and Pune at 230 km.
By Air
Nashik has its own airport but has limited connectivity to major cities like Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad. The closest international airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. You can find affordable hotels in Mumbai for a night’s halt and begin your road journey the next morning, which will take around 4 hours.
By Rail
The nearest Railway Station is the Nasik Road Railway Station, around 10 km from the Sula Vineyards, which connects the city with major cities of the country like Mumbai and Pune. From the station, you can book a cab to the Sula Vineyards, which is about 20 km from Nashik Road. For a relaxing stay and convenient travelling, you can book your stay at hotels in Nashik offering private cab service.
By Road
Nashik Central Bus Station is around 12 km away from the Sula Vineyards. From there, you can hire a cab or an auto rickshaw to reach the Sula Vineyards
Best Time to Visit Sula Vineyards
Located on the outskirts of the serene hill station, Nashik, Sula Vineyards is open to the public throughout the year. However, to experience the best climatic conditions and greenery, the best time to visit the Sula Vineyards is during the winter months from October to February. For grape lovers, the best time is during January and March, to see and taste the juice grapes on a vineyard tour.
Sula also organises Sula Fest during the last days of January or the first week of February. The fest is one of the most popular events in Nashik, and people around the world visit the city for magnificent and dazzling celebrations with lights and music. You can enjoy a variety of food, mind-blowing drinks, merchandise and wine shopping, music shows and fun games.
Timings, Fees and Location of Sula Vineyards
- Timing: 10:30 AM – 11:00 PM from Monday to Friday and 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
- Entry Fees: INR 600 per person on Weekdays (Monday – Friday) and INR 1000 per person on Weekends.
- Location: Gat 36/2, off Gangapur-Savargaon Road, Govardhan, Nashik, Maharashtra 422222.
Places to Visit Near Sula Vineyard
Other than being the Wine Capital of India, Nashik is also famous for cultural tourism, agriculture and breathtaking scenery. If you wish to make the best of your trip to the city, here are some of the best places to visit in Nashik for a memorable travelling experience:
1. Trimbakeshwar Temple
Located 28 km from the city centre, Trimbakeshwar Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. The temple has three lingas representing Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
The temple also attracts visitors for its unique architecture, as it is constructed with black stone, making it one of the best places to visit in Nashik.
- Timings: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
- Location: Trimbak, Maharashtra 422212.
2. Someshwar Waterfall
For nature lovers, Someshwar Waterfall is a popular attraction located near Gangapur in Nashik. The breathtaking waterfall is also known as the Dudhsagar Waterfall for its gushing water flow, which resembles milk.
The 10 m waterfall originating from the holy Godavari River turns majestic during the monsoon season.
- Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
- Location: Ambedkar Nagar, Nashik, Maharashtra 422222.
3. Panchavati
Located on the banks of the sacred Godavari River in Nashik, Panchvati is a pilgrimage town steeped in spirituality and rich historical lore. It is adorned with five sacred banyan trees, hence the name Panchavati. The sprawling canopies of these trees offer shade and sanctuary to the visitors.
According to Hindu mythology, it is the same place where Lord Ram, with Sita and Laxman, spent significant time during their 14 years of exile.
- Timings: Open throughout the day.
- Location: Panchavati, Nashik, Maharashtra, 422003.
4. Pandavleni Caves
While looking for things to do in Nashik, make sure to spare some time for the Pandavleni Caves tour. Also known as Trirashmi Caves or Nashik Caves, Pandavlenu is a holy Buddhist and Jain site, attracting visitors for its religious and architectural significance.
Located about 8 km from the centre of Nashik, there are twenty-four Early Buddhist caves, whose excavation was financed by kings, merchants, devotees and foreigners who supported Jainism and Buddhism.
- Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
- Location: Pandav Lene Rd, Buddha Vihar, Pathardi Phata, Nashik, Maharashtra 422010.
So, now that you have all the required information before planning your trip to the city of Nashik for a winery tour at Sula Vineyards, make sure to plan and book your tickets and stay in advance, especially during the Sula Fest.
For the best offers and discounts, book your stay at Treebo Club’s website or app and enjoy a convenient and relaxing stay.
